Thursday, November 20, 2014

Police arrest 60 at Dutch Christmas festival during protests over traditional 'Black Pete' clowns with blacked-up faces

Via Nancy

The procession in Gouda was marred by the confrontation between supporters and protesters, with some wearing shirts saying 'Black Pete is racist'

Dated

Dutch police have arrested 60 protesters at a traditional 'Black Pete' celebration which sees people black-up their faces and dress as clowns.

The event celebrates the arrival of Saint Nicholas and his jester companion 'Black Pete', but some say the tradition of people painting their faces black is racist.

Protesters scuffled with police in the Dutch city of Gouda as thousands of children gathered to welcome the arrival of Sinterklaas - or Father Christmas - and Black Pete.

More with video @ Daily Mail
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 20, 2014 at 8:44 PM

    Sounds like great fun. I just love traditions. I recall seeing some old movies
    where instead of the producer using real blacks in the movies, they would paint
    white's faces black and accent the mouth.

    ReplyDelete

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