Tens of thousands took part in the protests, describing the racism and police discrimination they have experienced over the years.
The municipality appears to have been unaware that in many countries, “blacking up”, also known as “blackface”, where white people paint their faces to mimic black people, is considered racist.
Comments on social media included “my face is not your costume” and “what the hell were you thinking…a simple Google search would have shown you what a bad idea this was.”
Israeli Ethiopian activists on social media called for a counter-protest to take place in front of city hall at the same time against “racism and ignorance".
“Blackface? Not here!” one activist wrote.
“If the municipality wants to fight racism, they should publicly condemn police violence against Ethiopian immigrants…and return funds cut at the expense of the community.”
Another denounced the city’s event as “pure racism under the guise of solidarity.”
After the city cancelled the event, Ethiopan Jewish activists expressed “pride that this event did not take place.
“The amount of racism which would have taken place there is not easy to describe."
