Protesters call for Black Pete to be kicked out of Dutch festive celebrations

The foreman of action group Kick Out Zwarte Piet, Jerry Afriyie, right, addresses the bystanders during protest against Black Pete (Patrick Post/AP)

About 100 anti-racism protesters chanted Kick Out Black Pete at an event where children could meet the Dutch version of Santa Claus and his controversial sidekick.

The Black Pete character, often played by adults wearing blackface makeup, has sparked a decade of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in the Netherlands by protesters who consider him a racist caricature and supporters who insist he is a harmless children’s character.