Black Pete is associated with the Christmas season. Tradition has it that he is a moor who helps St. Nicholas when he decides at the end of the year which children have behaved well enough and deserve presents. In an old children's book written back in the 1850s, the popular character was stereotypically portrayed as wearing clownish clothes with big afro hair and full red lips.
For decades, (mostly white) people in the Netherlands have dressed up like Black Pete, painting their faces black and wearing afro wigs during parades and reenactments for children on winter holidays. However, the number of those who condemn and protest against what they believe to be a racist caricature has grown steadily.
Although protests were prohibited on that day, Black Pete opponents refused to stop their demonstration at three different locations in the town. Meanwhile, some 20 far-right activists came out as counterprotesters. Activist John Morren told the Associated Press that "we are demonstrating for the preservation of a children's party," and to protect Dutch tradition.
Detentions inevitably followed.
"We arrested about 100 people who were demonstrating in Rotterdam, where the protests were banned for the day," local police spokeswoman Lillian van Duijvenbode told AFP.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has urged both sides to stay peaceful in their arguments in light of the Christmas season.
