“Kick out Zwarte Piet”. Loudly chanting, a group of anti-Zwarte Piet protesters walk from the public gallery to the center of the council chamber.
Alderman René van der Weide, who has just finished his story about parking policy, looks up in surprise. Just before the place where the lecture is located, the demonstrators unfold their banners. ‘No Zwarte Piet Also Emmen Niet’ and ‘Emmen Kan Het’ can be read on it.
One of the demonstrators then puts forward an argument in which it comes down to Emmen completely distancing himself from Zwarte Piet, in their eyes a racist caricature. At the arrival of Sinterklaas, which takes place on November 12, the servant of Sinterklaas simply comes along again. And that is not possible, according to the protesters.
The nine demonstrators then sit on the floor of the council chamber and refuse to leave until the municipality openly renounces Zwarte Piet.
Mayor Eric van Oosterhout immediately decides to suspend the meeting and calls on councilors to leave the room. Most of them decide to leave.
He still lets the demonstrators tell their story, but he asks them to leave. Security is now enabled.
The fact that the municipality has promised to reduce the share of Zwarte Pieten in the coming years is not enough, according to the activists, who have indicated that they belong to the Extinction Rebellion action group. This afternoon they already campaigned at the town hall because of the climate.
The activists cannot yet say whether they will also take action during the entry. “That depends on the answer we get today.” Several councilors have little understanding for the duration of the action. “You’ve made your point. Then you’re going to leave, aren’t you?”
Council members also question the success of the campaign. “Your message will be lost in this way,” one of the councilors said. “This only reinforces the existing divisions about the celebration of Sinterklaas.”