Dutch court rules against use of 'Black Pete' as Santa sidekick

An Amsterdam court says the figure known as 'Black Pete' – the sidekick to the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus – is a negative stereotype of black people and the city must rethink its involvement in holiday celebrations involving the figure.

Debate over Zwarte Piet has intensified in the Netherlands in recent years as opponents say the black clown with thick red lips and a frizzy Afro hairstyle is a racist caricature.