Staphorst municipality announced an independent investigation into the municipality’s actions prior to Sinterklaas’ arrival last Saturday. Protesters from the Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) action group and Amnesty International employees were threatened and treated with violence, after which the demonstration was cancelled.
Mayor Jan ten Kate says he condemns the aggression surrounding the arrival of Sinterklaas. “The images, including those of Amnesty International employees being harassed, made a deep impression on me.”
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The police had previously spoken of serious threats and much violence by the rioters. The car containing Amnesty International monitors was attacked by anti-KOZP protesters. Ten Kate says he has been in contact with Amnesty International about this.
“Protesting is a fundamental right,” replies Ten Kate. “Despite all the preparations, for the safety of the protesters and the children on the market square, I had to cancel the demonstration at the last minute. The independent investigation must answer the existing questions.”
The police have not yet arrested anyone
The Public Prosecutor (OM) is conducting a criminal investigation into the violence in Staphorst. No arrests have yet been made. “Various criminal offenses have been committed, such as destroying other people’s property, stealing property and, among other things, a threat has been reported. Preventing a permitted demonstration is also a criminal offence,” the police said.
Police say they are critically examining their own actions around the riots. “We deeply regret that, despite preparations, we have not been able to prevent serious threats and disturbances,” the police said in an earlier statement. “The fact that the riots made the situation so unsafe that the demonstration had to be canceled is serious.”
“When demonstration is rendered impossible, a mayor must stand up for the rights of protesters,” KOZP leader Jerry Afriyie wrote in a statement. “We are waiting for the day when a mayor, if safety cannot be guaranteed, cancels an entrance instead of a demonstration”.
Mayor Ten Kate speaks about unrest in society on various topics. “A lot is happening right now, but acts of aggression should never be tolerated,” he says. “It is essential to maintain a tolerant dialogue while respecting everyone’s opinion. Beyond research, it is therefore important to continue to seek dialogue with the other”.
