Councilor René van der Weide, who has just finished his story on parking policy, looks up in surprise. Just before the conference venue, the protesters unfold their banners. ‘No Zwarte Piet Also Emmen Niet’ and ‘Emmen Kan Het’ can be read about it.
One of the protesters then puts forward an argument in which it is Emmen who distances himself completely from Zwarte Piet, a racist caricature in their eyes. In the city of Emmen, Zwarte Piet no longer follows, but in the other towns of the municipality he can still appear. And this is not possible, according to the protesters.
The nine protesters then sit on the floor of the council chamber and refuse to leave until the municipality openly gives up on Zwarte Piet.
Mayor Eric van Oosterhout immediately decides to suspend the meeting and invites the councilors to leave the room. Most of them decide to leave.
He still lets the protesters tell their story, but asks them to leave. Security is now enabled.
The fact that the municipality has promised to reduce Zwarte Pieten’s quota in the coming years is not enough, according to activists, who have indicated that they belong to the Extinction Rebellion action group. This afternoon they have already campaigned in the town hall because of the weather.
Activists cannot yet say whether they will also intervene during the entrance. “It depends on the answer we get today.” Several counselors have little understanding for the duration of the action. “You have made your point clear. Then you go away, right?”
Board members also question the success of the campaign. “Your message will be lost this way,” said one of the advisors. “This only strengthens the divisions that exist over the Sinterklaas celebration.”
