In a heartfelt ceremony, A Coruña City Hall celebrated two Senegalese migrants, Magatte N'Diaye and Ibrahima Diack, as "adopted sons" for their courage in intervening during a homophobic attack that led to a man's death.
Spanish City Honors Migrants for Saving a Gay Man During Homophobic Attack
Spanish City Honors Migrants for Saving a Gay Man During Homophobic Attack
A Coruña recognizes Senegalese heroes for their bravery during a tragic incident in 2021.
In A Coruña, Spain, two Senegalese migrants have been celebrated for their brave actions in attempting to save Samuel Luiz, a gay man brutally beaten in July 2021. Ibrahima Diack and Magatte N'Diaye were presented with the status of "adopted sons of the city" during a ceremony on Monday, acknowledging their heroism when they intervened in the violent attack. Samuel, aged 24, succumbed to his injuries after the assault, which ignited widespread outrage across Spain and beyond.
Mayor Inés Rey lauded the migrants’ noble actions, emphasizing their willingness to risk their safety in front of an indifferent crowd. Images from that fateful night showed other bystanders either ignoring the situation or documenting the violence on their phones, underscoring the remarkable bravery of Diack and N'Diaye. Mayor Rey remarked, "That two undocumented migrants were the only ones who physically risked themselves...leaves much food for thought." Councillor Rosalía López further expressed gratitude on social media for their selflessness despite the potential consequences of their intervention.
Both men revealed that they were living in the city without documentation at the time and were concerned about the repercussions of involving law enforcement. Despite this fear, they insisted that their actions stemmed from a deep-seated moral obligation to intervene in the face of injustice. During the ceremony, they humbly acknowledged their efforts, with Mr. N'Diaye stating, "We are not heroes; we did what we had to do."
In addition to their brave actions, the two men served as key witnesses in court against those responsible for Luiz’s death last November. A jury convicted four men for murder, with sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years; the main instigator reportedly hurled homophobic slurs during the attack. This tragic event has heightened awareness surrounding issues of homophobia and immigration in Spain, where thousands of migrants from various African nations seek refuge.
As Europe grapples with the intricacies of immigration and social justice, A Coruña’s recognition of these migrants emphasizes the complex narratives of heroism and humanity that emerge from such crisis situations.
Mayor Inés Rey lauded the migrants’ noble actions, emphasizing their willingness to risk their safety in front of an indifferent crowd. Images from that fateful night showed other bystanders either ignoring the situation or documenting the violence on their phones, underscoring the remarkable bravery of Diack and N'Diaye. Mayor Rey remarked, "That two undocumented migrants were the only ones who physically risked themselves...leaves much food for thought." Councillor Rosalía López further expressed gratitude on social media for their selflessness despite the potential consequences of their intervention.
Both men revealed that they were living in the city without documentation at the time and were concerned about the repercussions of involving law enforcement. Despite this fear, they insisted that their actions stemmed from a deep-seated moral obligation to intervene in the face of injustice. During the ceremony, they humbly acknowledged their efforts, with Mr. N'Diaye stating, "We are not heroes; we did what we had to do."
In addition to their brave actions, the two men served as key witnesses in court against those responsible for Luiz’s death last November. A jury convicted four men for murder, with sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years; the main instigator reportedly hurled homophobic slurs during the attack. This tragic event has heightened awareness surrounding issues of homophobia and immigration in Spain, where thousands of migrants from various African nations seek refuge.
As Europe grapples with the intricacies of immigration and social justice, A Coruña’s recognition of these migrants emphasizes the complex narratives of heroism and humanity that emerge from such crisis situations.
