Supporters and opponents clash over controversial Dutch character Black Pete

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Scattered confrontations broke out Saturday 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.

In the northern city of Leeuwarden, police said they “prevented two groups getting into a fight.” In nearby Groningen, police separated two groups of protesters to prevent a confrontation.

Police in The Hague said riot police kept proPete activists away from anti-Pete protesters as they were escorted to the city’s main railway station.