Residents of Staphorst started a donation campaign this week for the suspects who were recently sentenced to 180 hours of community service. They received this punishment for open violence during the Sinterklaas riots on November 19, 2022 in Staphorst. The money is intended to pay for their defense costs and to compensate for lost income.
Three men aged 21, 24 and 27 were told two weeks ago by the judge in Zwolle that they must work 180 hours for their part in the Sinterklaas riot on November 19, 2022. In addition to community service sentences for public violence, the gentlemen must pay compensation to one of the owners of a damaged car. This concerns 2343.08 euros.
A fourth person from the municipality of Twenterand has yet to appear. In the meantime, the money is flowing in. Some donors give 150 euros. The goal is to raise 40,000 euros. “To limit the damage suffered by these hard-working men as much as possible, we ask for your financial support,” the accompanying text says. That doesn’t seem to be a problem at all.
Provoke
Many people in Staphorst are furious about the state of affairs. It was the organization Kick Out Zwarte Piet that came to Staphorst to demonstrate against Zwarte Piet during the arrival on November 19, 2022. A pure provocation, many think. Making your point about the back of Staphorst, which is already known in the country. Exercising your right to demonstrate in a place where you are absolutely not wanted. Then, according to the Staphorsters, it is asking for accidents. It is not acceptable if people from outside decide what they should do and not do in Staphorst. According to the Staphorsters, it has little to do with racism.
Staphorst residents and people from outside ensured that the demonstrators did not enter Staphorst. A bus with members of KOZP turned around near Meppel, but two cars still ended up on the exit. One of them included observers from Amnesty International. The occupants experienced an anxious half hour. The cars were destroyed. There were no injuries. It became national news.
Fundamental right
The Public Prosecution Service took the matter seriously. The police and the municipality also received strong criticism for their actions. Demonstrating is a fundamental right in our country. That must be facilitated.
Three people have already been convicted, the fourth will soon hear his sentence. Amnesty and Kick Out Zwarte Piet are not satisfied. They want more people to be prosecuted for their part in the threats. After all, there were hundreds of people at the A28 exit and a bus was also attacked in a parking lot near Meppel.
The Staphorsts who started the action refer to Kick Out Zwarte Piet leader Jeffrey Afryie. He announced last week that KOZP wants to stop on December 5, 2025. ‘To quote Mr Afryie’s words: ‘We are passing the baton to society.’
The donation campaign can be found via the website donateeractie.nl/steun-verjude-zwarte-pieten-staphorst