Zaanstad prohibits anti-Zwarte Piet demonstrators from using megaphones during the Sinterklaas party at the Burcht in Zaandam tomorrow afternoon. According to the municipality, the demonstrators can easily make themselves audible without using a megaphone and it would also create a “grim atmosphere”. The action group Zaankanters Against Racism calls it a restriction of their right to demonstrate.
Saturday afternoon Sinterklaas will come to the Burcht in Zaandam with his helpers. The Pieten are a mix of soot sweepers and brown Petes and Zaankanters demonstrate against Racism against that. “It is unlawful to prohibit megaphones and amplified sound during a demonstration. This is a direct restriction of the right to demonstrate,” says action group Zaankanters Against Racism.
Well in Westzaan
A week ago they demonstrated in Westzaan with megaphones. According to Zaanstad, this does not benefit the party atmosphere and a “grim atmosphere” could arise.
“To ensure that the children present can also hear the sounds of the stage, we have included in our conditions that megaphones may not be used. In addition, we estimate that megaphones entail risks of public order disturbance.” , the municipality said in a statement.
Legal battle
According to the municipality, the activists are assigned a section at the Burcht where they can bring their message visibly and within hearing of the Sinterklaas party. Zaankanters Against Racism does not leave it at that and says to challenge the decision.