THE HAGUE, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte spoke out on Monday against the rioters during the arrival of the traditional Sinterklaas last weekend in several cities in the Netherlands, but some other people believe the premier did not go far enough in his conviction of the rioters.
The arrival of Sinterklaas led to unrest in several cities. In Rotterdam and Eindhoven, the police had to intervene and dozens of people were arrested. Demonstrators against a racist figure "Zwarte Piet", or Black Pete, in Eindhoven were attacked by a group of soccer hooligans who threw cans of beer and eggs and shouted racist slogans.
Mayor John Jorritsma of Eindhoven said afterwards that a limit has been exceeded. He spoke of "very intimidating behavior of a very large group of aggressive, unannounced hooligans".
PvdA (Labor) leader Lodewijk Asscher deemed it "horrifying how the right to demonstrate is violated with racism and intimidation."
Rutte waited with a reaction until Monday. "The people who showed themselves last Saturday are destroying it for everyone, especially for the children," he said to the NOS, the largest news organization in the Netherlands. "If there are children present, we must behave like adults. I don't like Black Pete extremists, neither for nor against. You can conduct that discussion at least in a decent way."
However, GroenLinks (GreenLeft) leader Jesse Klaver feels the conviction of Rutte does not go far enough. "Rutte misses the mark by shuffling peaceful demonstrators and racist hooligans as equal," Klaver said. "It is time for real leadership. You have to speak out clearly against racism."
On Sunday, the Dutch department of human rights organization Amnesty International already asked for a clear condemnation by Rutte of the racist behavior of supporters of Black Pete. "The government must condemn sharply the threats and violence against peaceful demonstrators."
Sinterklaas is supposed to be a highlight for children, annually celebrated in the Netherlands with the giving of gifts on Dec. 5. Every year in mid November Sinterklaas arrives by boat from Spain, according to the story young Dutch children believe in.
However, the presence of the servant of Sinterklaas has caused a lot of discussion for decades. Traditionally "Zwarte Piet" was portrayed with a black face and wigs of curly black hair. Opponents want to get rid of the racist figure, while proponents say Black Pete is part of Dutch culture. In some places Black Pete has already been banned and replaced by another figure.
The mayors of Nijmegen and Zwolle had decided to ban demonstrations of Kick Out Zwarte Piet out of fear for disturbances. In The Hague and Den Helder planned demonstrations of the action group were called off at the last moment because of threats of violence.
With 48 arrests, the police prevented any disturbances during a demonstration about the arrival of Sinterklaas in Tilburg on Sunday. The deployment of the police was set up to ensure that the demonstration of opponents of Black Pete could proceed safely and orderly.
