A protest by the Kick Out Zwarte Piet action group in Maastricht was moved to the Mosae Forum at the last minute for security reasons. The action group wanted to demonstrate on the Vrijthof, but there was a large group of counter-protesters. The Mobile Unit intervened, because according to the police it was too restless.
The anti-Zwarte Piet protesters were led away from the Vrijthof by the police. According to the ANP, they were taken to the station and the protest came to an end. The police cannot yet confirm this information to the NOS.
It is not clear whether Kick Out protesters were able to demonstrate at the Mosae Forum, where many counter-protesters were also standing.
Earlier this afternoon, Kick Out Zwarte Piet called the counter-protesters a “large group of hooligans”. Many counter-protesters did not wear masks and did not adhere to the one and a half meter rule. Meanwhile it is quiet in the city again.
Secret Entry
Kick Out Zwarte Piet opposes Black and Gray Petes. The sympathizers demonstrate annually around the arrival of Sinterklaas in various cities.
Just like in the rest of the country, Sinterklaas also arrived at a secret location in Maastricht. A planned party at the Kesselkade in the city was canceled due to the corona measures, but an alternative entry could be viewed digitally yesterday morning.
The official arrival of Sinterklaas was yesterday, when his steamboat docked at the ‘Dieuwertje Blokkade’ in an unnamed place. The NTR had kept the exact place of arrival of Saint Nicholas secret in advance, to prevent it from becoming busy during the entry. This year, Saint Peter has established his Grote Pietenhuis in Soestdijk Palace.
Sint and Piet also arrived online in many other places this year:
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