Netherlands: Protester dies from seizure after anti - ‘black-face’ demo erupts in scuffles

Netherlands: Protester dies in police custody after scuffling with 'Black Pete' revellers
Protesters of the 'Stop Blackface' movement attempted to disrupt a 'Black Pete' event in the small town of Grou on Saturday, resulting in scuffles with revellers and the authorities. One activist died during the protest with reports that he had a seizure during the trip back from the small town in Friesland.
The protester died on the way back from Grou to Rotterdam, with police attempting to resuscitate the man, as ambulance authorities reportedly stood to the side, local journalists reported.
The protest was directed against the tradition of celebrating the arrival of 'Sinter Klaas' and 'Black Pete,' called Zwarte Piet in Dutch, a figure with a black face, red lips and afro wig who the legend claims is the helper of Saint Nicholas bringing presents to the children. The event, which is held later in February in the Fries town for Sinter Klaas' so-called colleague, Sinter Piter, is perceived as fundamentally racist by critics, dating back to the country's colonial era.
Defenders of the festival argue that Black Pete's black face is an important Dutch tradition, with some saying that the character’s skin colour is a result of coming down the chimney.