Kick Out Zwarte Piet enters final month as campaign for inclusive Sinterklaas ends

In the final month of its campaign, Kick Out Zwarte Piet is engaging with ten municipalities and Sinterklaas parade committees to discuss the appearance of Zwarte Piet, the assistants to Sinterklaas who are often portrayed by white actors wearing blackface makeup. The focus is on areas where the caricature or the amount of blackface has changed little, or where, according to leader Jerry Afriyie, the stance is “we don’t care about the impact on the Black community, we’ll do what we want.”

After 15 years, Stichting Nederland Wordt Beter (NLWB) has entered its final month, including the KOZP initiative. During this time, the foundation met its three objectives in tackling racism in the Netherlands and, as originally planned, may formally dissolve after December 5, 2025.

Co-founder Afriyie recalls that 15 years ago, 99 percent of people in the Netherlands had never heard of Keti Koti, the day marking the nation’s slavery history. “It was a very niche observance.”

Today, there is a national commemoration on July 1, complete with live radio and TV broadcasts and a new national committee to ensure it is properly represented. Afriyie notes that schools in the Netherlands now include lessons on the colonial past, slavery, and racism.

Kick Out Zwarte Piet was established to make the Sinterklaas festivities inclusive for everyone in the Netherlands. The group staged protests at parades where Zwarte Piet characters were portrayed with completely black faces, red lips, curly hair, and silly behavior.

Although these demonstrations initially faced significant opposition, by 2024, following numerous discussions, KOZP no longer had to protest at any parade.

During its final year, KOZP is urging ten additional municipalities to take further steps toward an inclusive Sinterklaas celebration. “In some places, only a bit of soot has been removed, yet the caricature remains,” Afriyie says. “We engage in conversations, but also encounter resistance.” While KOZP prefers not to stage protests, the group will step in when necessary.

KOZP and NLWB will cease operations on December 6. “We’re not continuing for a second longer. After that, the shop is closed,” a spokesperson said. To celebrate NLWB’s 15-year history, an exhibition opened on Saturday and will run until February 1. Smaller exhibitions will also take place in six provinces, “ensuring that the baton is passed not only to the Randstad but also to the rest of the country.”

Looking back, Afriyie reflects, “It feels surreal to reach this point after so many years. Of course, we would have loved to achieve our goals in just five days, but we’re thrilled to have met them within the timeframe. We gave it our all, and the effort has paid off completely.”