Clashes break out in Netherlands over Santa’s helper ‘Black Pete’

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Scattered confrontations broke out yesterday between supporters and opponents of the divisive helper of the Dutch version of Santa Claus, police and media reported, amid a fierce and increasingly polarized debate about the helper known as Black Pete. White people often daub their faces with black paint when they dress up to play the character. Opponents say such depictions of Black Pete promote racist stereotypes. Supporters defend the sidekick of Sinterklaas, the white-bearded, redrobed Dutch version of St. Nicholas, as a traditional children’s character. A nationally televised parade to welcome Sinterklaas in the historic village of Zaandijk north of Amsterdam went off peacefully, but at parades across the country there were a small number of confrontations. Police in Rotterdam tweeted they made three arrests as supporters of Black Pete clashed with anti-Pete protesters, but added that the vast majority of events were peaceful. Police in The Hague said riot police kept pro-Pete activists away from antiPete protesters. Dutch media also reported that soccer fans confronted a small group of anti-Pete protesters in Eindhoven. A boat carrying Sinterklaas sailed into the harbor of Zaandijk yesterday accompanied by dozens of Black Petes. Thousands of children, many wearing Black Pete costumes, lined streets to greet Sinterklaas, grabbing handfuls of candy handed out by Black Petes.