Darran said:
Can someone translate this article please?
https://www.denhaagcentraal.net/nieuws/zwarte-piet-conflict-loopt-volledig-uit-de-hand/
Zwarte Piet conflict gets completely out of hand
Violence and arrests, social media abuse, troubled politicians. The debate about Zwarte Piet has got completely out of hand in The Hague.
NEWSKOZPSAINT NICHOLAS
11/10/2019 9:39 PM By Herman Rosenberg
Agroup of rioters violently disrupted a meeting of the Kick Out Zwarte Piet (KOZP) action group in Moerwijk on Friday evening. At the place of action, a cultural breeding ground on Beatrijsstraat - successor of De Vloek on Scheveningen - windows were smashed. The attackers set off - according to KOZP and the police - heavy fireworks, tried to start fires and destroyed cars.
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Smashed windows at the incubator at Beatrijsstraat. Photo: KOZP
The police eventually had to relieve the KOZPers, and five arrests were made. One of the detainees was a 13-year-old boy. Sunday afternoon, one man (25) was detained on suspicion of open violence. The police have done a neighborhood investigation; a witness summons has also been distributed.
Minister Grapperhaus responds
The events, which marked the opening of the NOS News on Saturday, have triggered a flood of reactions.
“In the Netherlands we have a free culture of debate and freedom of expression. You are not going to try to influence that with violence or violent actions, ”said Minister Ferd Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) on Saturday in the margins of the CDA congress in Utrecht.
KZOP leader Jerry Afriyie, who was not there on Friday evening, expressed his anger towards RTL News. "We have become targets." He also said that he was happy that there were no injuries.
Annoyance over Hitler accusation
Judging by social media, the attack on KOZP can also count on some understanding or even open support in and outside The Hague. KOZPs are seen by many as 'drammers' who want to destroy a Dutch tradition. What caused a lot of bad blood in The Hague was a tweet by Mariam El Maslouhi, from KOZP-The Hague on Thursday.
In it she wrote with a photo of a Pro-Piet demonstration at the Scheveningen harbor (Wednesday) that people were bringing the 'Hitler salute' there. According to many angry reactions, this is not correct, because those present would have stood with both arms up, an attitude that is known from football stadiums. 'Shameless fake news from Kick Out Zwarte Piet-troela', wrote the right-wing website De Dagaily Standaard.
Mariam El Maslouhi's controversial tweet.
John of Sweden in action
Under this bad star, KOZP started its 'conference' in Moerwijk. It itself did not publicize this. Others did, including 'wallpaper king', Hart voor Den Haag sponsor and (recently) ADO advisor John van Sweden.
He tweeted on Friday: "At 7 pm these tough fighters [KOZP, ed.] Gather in the Vierheemskinderen," referring to the Vier Heemskinderenstraat, which is perpendicular to the Beatrijsstraat. He added: 'Assume that there are also some advocates [of Zwarte Piet, ed.] Going. Success Scheveningen '.
The offending tweet from John of Sweden. Photo: DHC
Sweden has quickly removed the tweet, which KOZP classifies as 'incitement', after Friday night's skirmishes.
Possible council debate
The Hague City Party and the Islamic party NIDA have announced that they want to hold an emergency debate with the city council on the escalation. “Other parties also seem to feel for this,” says HSP party chairman Joris Wijsmuller. "We are going to meet on Monday and see what we can fit in: a committee meeting or an extra council meeting."
We have become targets.
KZOP foreman Jerry Afriyie
Last month, the council passed a motion by PvdA star Mikal Tseggai by a narrow majority, calling on the Municipal Executive to ensure that The Hague, preferably already this year, but no later than next year 'follows. That directive means: follow the Sinterklaas news and no more completely black Petes.
“Sinterklaas should be a great party for all children from The Hague. Zwarte Pieten really no longer fit in with that, ”said Tseggai earlier in an explanation. But KOZP thinks the motion does not go far enough. The action group does not want any more black people this year.
Prefer not to demonstrate?
But organizer Peter Boelhouwer has announced that completely black Petes will participate in this year's entry in The Hague (Saturday, November 16). Boelhouwer called on Sunday via Omroep West to refrain from demonstrations at the entry.
“Both the proponents and opponents of Zwarte Piet are killing a children's party with their behavior and statements,” he fears. Joris Wijsmuller says he understands the appeal, but does not support Boelhouwer. “No, then we would give way to violence. In this country we have freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. They must be guaranteed at all times. ”
