Various Sinterklaas arrival events will be held across the north this weekend. In Groningen, Dokkum and Leeuwarden, Kick Out Zwarte Piet members and pro-Zwarte Piet activists will be present during the proceedings.
Dokkum
In the city where protestors were prevented, from peacefully assembling last year by the blockade, members of the Kick Out Zwarte Piet group, which is opposed to the racist traditional depiction of Zwarte Piet have a permit to protest at the Camperplaats near Van Kleffenstraat 8 in Dokkum. Activists in favour of the current blackface caricature will hold a demonstration somewhere in the city, although the Leeuwarder Courant says it is not yet exactly clear where that will be. The demonstrations are set to take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and will be organised by Studio 44 Verbeeldende Projecten.
Leeuwarden
In the Frisian capital, members of Kick Out Zwarte Piet will be permitted to protest at the Wilhelminaplein during the arrival parade. The Leeuwarder Courant reports that the protestors are only planning to have a small presence in Leeuwarden and that families coming to the arrival parade do not need to fear any large numbers of protestors. Sinterklaas is expected to arrive at the Prinsentuin around noon and end up at the Hofplein by 2:30.
Groningen
In Groningen, RTV Noord reports that Sinterklaas will sail into the A around 1 a.m. as part of an entourage of seven boats and will dock at De Hunze rowing association at the Praediniussingel. After an hour in the area for children to greet him, from there, Sinterklaas will ride Amerigo, his horse, through the city streets and make his way to the Grote Markt by around 3:15
Kick Out Zwarte Piet members have a permit to protest at the Emmaplein, and those in favour of the current depiction of Zwarte Piet will be allowed to protest on the Gedempte Zuiderdiep.
