The arrival of Sint Nicolaas on Saturday in Groningen is causing more and more tension
Earlier this week opponents of Zwarte Piet announced that they were going to protest, and now also football hooligans – the hard core of supporters of FC Groningen – say that they are going to take action on Saturday. These hooligans are for the preservation of a ‘real’ black Piet because they believe that it is an authentic Dutch tradition. Last year the police had to take action against these hooligans, who then acted very loudly and aggressively.
The group “The Hooligan Scene” has announced on Facebook to take action for Zwarte Piet during the Sinterklaas entry in Groningen on Saturday.
Last year there was a confrontation between hooligans and the activists of Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP).
On Facebook, the hooligans are calling on KOZP to stay home on Saturday and not to disturb the entry.
The KOZP campaigners have been assigned a section by the municipality on Emmaplein where they can demonstrate. Supporters of Zwarte Piet also have indicated that they will demonstrate, also on Emmaplein.
Image via Wikimedia user Constablequackers. License here.