15 November 2014
Last updated at 14:28 ET
Most of those arrested were held for refusing to move to a designated protest site
The police said most of the 90 people were arrested for protesting in a non-designated area in the city of Gouda.
Many in the Netherlands see Black Pete as a racial stereotype, but others say the tradition is not linked to race.
The Dutch version of the St Nicholas legend depicts him arriving by boat from Spain with armies of Black Petes.
Trouble broke out in Gouda, selected as the city to kick off this year's festivities, during a re-enactment of the arrival of Nicholas and his Black Petes.
State TV showed footage of scuffles as protesters unfurled banners reading "Black Pete is racism".
The traditional festival is causing increasing controversy in the Netherlands
Police said protesters had been forbidden from demonstrating at the re-enactment, but refused to move away.
The Black Pete character is causing mounting controversy in the Netherlands.
Last year, hundreds of people staged a protest in Amsterdam.
Earlier this year, Amsterdam's regional court said the image of Black Pete "with his thick red lips, being a stupid servant, gives rise to a negative stereotyping of black people".
The court ordered Amsterdam's authorities to review the festival.
Black Petes also appear during festivities in Belgium
The traditional festival is causing increasing controversy in the Netherlands
Clashes at Dutch Black Pete protest in Gouda
Most of those arrested were held for refusing to move to a designated protest site
Dutch
police have arrested dozens of people during a protest over Black Pete,
a controversial black-faced sidekick to the local St Nicholas.
Many in the Netherlands see Black Pete as a racial stereotype, but others say the tradition is not linked to race.
The Dutch version of the St Nicholas legend depicts him arriving by boat from Spain with armies of Black Petes.
Trouble broke out in Gouda, selected as the city to kick off this year's festivities, during a re-enactment of the arrival of Nicholas and his Black Petes.
State TV showed footage of scuffles as protesters unfurled banners reading "Black Pete is racism".
The traditional festival is causing increasing controversy in the Netherlands
The Gouda authorities introduced other coloured Petes, including a Cheese Pete, this year
The Black Pete character is causing mounting controversy in the Netherlands.
Last year, hundreds of people staged a protest in Amsterdam.
Earlier this year, Amsterdam's regional court said the image of Black Pete "with his thick red lips, being a stupid servant, gives rise to a negative stereotyping of black people".
The court ordered Amsterdam's authorities to review the festival.
Black Petes also appear during festivities in Belgium
The traditional festival is causing increasing controversy in the Netherlands
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From other news sites
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Al Jazeera Protesters clash at Dutch 'Black Pete' event 23 mins ago
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NDTV 90 Arrested as 'Black Pete' Protests Mar Annual Dutch Fete 3 hrs ago
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Christian Science Monitor Sixty arrested in Dutch Black Pete protests at Christmas festival (+video) 4 hrs ago
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Expatica Netherlands 90 arrested during 'Black Pete' protests at Dutch kids' fete 5 hrs ago
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Reuters UK Police arrest 60 at Dutch 'Black Pete' festival 9 hrs ago
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