Minor confrontations broke across the Netherlands on Saturday between supporters and opponents of the divisive helper of the Dutch version of Santa Claus.
Amid a fierce and increasingly polarised debate about the helper, known as 'Black Pete', people gathered in the historic village of Zaanstad, north of Amsterdam to make their views known.
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A nationally televised parade to welcome Sinterklaas in Zaanstad went off peacefully, but at parades across the country there were a small number of confrontations.
Thousands of children, many wearing Black Pete costumes, lined streets to greet Sinterklaas, many sitting on the shoulders of a parent and grabbing handfuls of candy handed out by Black Petes.
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.
"We stand here and protest because we find that the Black Pete [character] is racist and we want that to be changed so the festivities are pleasant for everyone," said protester Mirvania, who declined to give her full name.
Supporters defend the sidekick of Sinterklaas, the white-bearded, red-robed Dutch version of St Nicholas, as a traditional children's character.
"I think it's big fest for the kids and the kids don't see if the Pete is black of white or coloured. I think it is a non-discussion," said local resident Martin Hutting.
"I think that we should keep the festivities as they are and keep the Black Petes. I see no point of white Petes," said Willamina de Jong.
Police in Rotterdam tweeted that they made three arrests as supporters of Black Pete clashed with anti-Pete protesters.
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.
Dutch media also reported that football fans confronted a small group of anti-Pete protesters in the southern city of Eindhoven.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte had appealed for calm on Friday, saying: "I think society agrees on one thing: we grant children the magic of the Sinterklaas party."
The protests came at the same time paraders wearing blackface and golliwog sales at an agricultural show caused controversy in New Zealand.
APTN / Newshub.
