In this Saturday Nov. 16, 2013, file photo Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, and "Zwarte Piet", or "Black Pete" arrive in Hoorn, north-western Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) - Scattered confrontations broke out Saturday between supporters and opponents of the divisive helper of the Dutch version of Santa Claus, police and media reported, amid a fierce and increasingly polarized debate about the helper known as Black Pete.
White people often daub their faces with black paint when they dress up to play the character. Opponents say such depictions of Black Pete promote racist stereotypes. Supporters defend the sidekick of Sinterklaas, the white-bearded, red-robed Dutch version of St. Nicholas, as a traditional children's character.
A nationally televised parade to welcome Sinterklaas in the historic village of Zaandijk north of Amsterdam went off peacefully, but at parades across the country there were a small number of confrontations.
Police in Rotterdam tweeted that they made three arrests as supporters of Black Pete clashed with anti-Pete protesters.
In the northern city of Leeuwarden, police said they "prevented two groups getting into a fight." In nearby Groningen, police separated two groups of protesters to prevent a confrontation.
Dutch media also reported that soccer fans confronted a small group of anti-Pete protesters in the southern city of Eindhoven.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte had appealed for calm on Friday, saying: "I think society agrees on one thing: we grant children the magic of the Sinterklaas party."
A boat carrying Sinterklaas sailed into the harbor of the picturesque village of Zaandijk on Saturday accompanied by dozens of Black Petes, their faces painted varying shades - from uniformly dark to smudged with dark streaks.
Thousands of children, many wearing Black Pete costumes, lined streets to greet Sinterklaas, many sitting on the shoulders of a parent and grabbing handfuls of candy handed out by Black Petes.
In this Friday Dec. 5, 2014 file photo three-and-a-half-year-old Ita Krans, left, talks to Black Pete, the black-faced sidekick of Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, during a short ceremony at the mayor's office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 file photo, a Black Pete interacts with children during the arrival of Sinterklaas in Maassluis, Netherlands, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016. Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016.As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, file photo, a child dressed as Black Pete waits for the arrival of Sinterklaas, in Dokkum, northern Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday Nov. 16, 2013, file photo, people dressed as "Zwarte Piet" or "Black Pete", wave to spectators as they arrive with the Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus, by steamboat in Hoorn, north-western Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday Nov. 5, 2016, file photo, Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus and traditionally played by a white person, dances with a woman at subway station in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, file photo, Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus and traditionally played by a white person, arrives in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, file photo, Sinterklaas, the Dutch version of Santa Claus and traditionally played by a white person, arrives in Amsterdam, Netherlands. As many Dutch children eagerly anticipate the arrival of their country's version of Santa Claus this weekend, opponents and supporters of his controversial helper Black Pete are gearing up for protests. Black Pete is often played by white people with their faces daubed in dark makeup. Supporters see him as a traditional children's character, while opponents decry him as a racist stereotype. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The Associated Press