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brooklynite

(93,836 posts)
Mon Nov 19, 2018, 03:33 PM Nov 2018

Dozens arrested in violent clashes over blackface in Dutch holiday celebrations

Source: The Hill

Dozens of people were arrested over the weekend in the Netherlands for responding violently to people protesting a controversial Dutch holiday tradition involving blackface.

Groups protesting “Zwarte Piet” (Black Peter) say that they were attacked with eggs, beer cans, racist chants and physically assaulted, according to NL Times.

The group “Kick Out Zwarte Piet” has criticized local officials’ handling of the violence, saying that not enough was done to prevent pro-Piet protestors from physically and verbally assaulting them.

Amnesty International criticized some local authorities such as Nijmegen and The Hague, where officials ended demonstrations early or banned them over fear of violence.



Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/417473-dozens-arrested-in-violent-clashes-over-blackface-in-dutch



In the Dutch "Sinterklaas" celebration, "Black Pete" is the character who brings switches to punish naughty children, while Sinterklaas brings the presents.
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Dozens arrested in violent clashes over blackface in Dutch holiday celebrations (Original Post) brooklynite Nov 2018 OP
Time to dust off this golden oldie: Blue_Tires Nov 2018 #1
Knowing little but first off this tradition is reminiscent of minstrel acts appalachiablue Nov 2018 #2

appalachiablue

(41,047 posts)
2. Knowing little but first off this tradition is reminiscent of minstrel acts
Mon Nov 19, 2018, 04:48 PM
Nov 2018

and appears imbued with objectionable racist elements. The Netherlands and Dutch people have much to be admired yet the nation's long history of colonialism and involvement in the slave trade in the New World can't be overlooked.

In this recent protest incident the Dutch Police should have done more to curb violence.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwarte_Piet

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