Police intervene in Zwarte Piet protest in the Netherlands

In the Dutch village of Yerseke, in Zeeland, the police intervened on Saturday afternoon at a protest against the arrival of the action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet. According to a reporter from the ANP news agency, there are hundreds of counter-protesters, some of whom have been arrested. There are more than a hundred police officers present.

In Yerseke, about twenty demonstrators from the action group protest against the presence of Piets with full black face during the arrival of Sinterklaas in the village. They are pelted with dozens of eggs, the ANP reporter sees. The municipality of Reimerswaal, which includes Yerseke, received concrete indications from the police that “disruptors” are present.

“I ask everyone: respect each other and the children’s party and take responsibility,” says Mayor José van Egmond. “Together we ensure a festive and safe arrival.”

Dozens of people also demonstrated against Black Pete at the arrival of Sinterklaas in Middelharnis, South Holland. The supporters of Kick Out Zwarte Piet are on one side of the harbour, on the other side of the water dozens of people have gathered, shouting slogans against the activists and raising middle fingers.