In a poignant ceremony, A Coruña awarded two Senegalese migrants for their brave intervention in a violent homophobic attack, highlighting the human spirit in the face of adversity.
A Coruña City Salutes Migrants for Bravery in Homophobic Attack
A Coruña City Salutes Migrants for Bravery in Homophobic Attack
Senegalese heroes honored as "adopted sons" in a heartfelt ceremony.
The Spanish city of A Coruña has recognized the courageous actions of two Senegalese migrants, Magatte N'Diaye and Ibrahima Diack, who intervened during a brutal homophobic attack that resulted in the death of a young man, Samuel Luiz, back in July 2021. At a recent memorial event, Mayor Inés Rey honored the pair with the title of "adopted sons of the city," a gesture aimed at acknowledging their risk and valor.
The incident had shocked the nation, as footage of the attack revealed that N'Diaye and Diack were the only individuals who attempted to aid Luiz while a crowd looked on, many capturing the horrific event on their smartphones. Mayor Rey expressed her admiration for their actions, stating, “That two undocumented migrants were the only ones who physically risked themselves to help the victim of a pack thirsting for horror leaves much food for thought.” City councillor Rosalía López also praised them, thanking them for their exceptional courage despite their precarious status in Spain.
Both men were undocumented at the time of the incident and worked irregularly, risking deportation to save a life. However, during the ceremony, they humbly maintained that they were not heroes, but rather individuals compelled to act in the face of injustice. N'Diaye remarked, “We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,” while Diack emphasized the values instilled in him from a young age, explaining that respect and education surpassed monetary wealth.
Additionally, they served as crucial witnesses in the legal proceedings against Luiz's murderers, resulting in guilty verdicts for four men who received sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years, highlighting the systemic issues surrounding violence and homophobia in society.
Each year, Spain sees tens of thousands of migrants arriving through perilous routes, primarily from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco, raising ongoing discussions about immigration, humanitarianism, and acceptance in contemporary society.
The incident had shocked the nation, as footage of the attack revealed that N'Diaye and Diack were the only individuals who attempted to aid Luiz while a crowd looked on, many capturing the horrific event on their smartphones. Mayor Rey expressed her admiration for their actions, stating, “That two undocumented migrants were the only ones who physically risked themselves to help the victim of a pack thirsting for horror leaves much food for thought.” City councillor Rosalía López also praised them, thanking them for their exceptional courage despite their precarious status in Spain.
Both men were undocumented at the time of the incident and worked irregularly, risking deportation to save a life. However, during the ceremony, they humbly maintained that they were not heroes, but rather individuals compelled to act in the face of injustice. N'Diaye remarked, “We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,” while Diack emphasized the values instilled in him from a young age, explaining that respect and education surpassed monetary wealth.
Additionally, they served as crucial witnesses in the legal proceedings against Luiz's murderers, resulting in guilty verdicts for four men who received sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years, highlighting the systemic issues surrounding violence and homophobia in society.
Each year, Spain sees tens of thousands of migrants arriving through perilous routes, primarily from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco, raising ongoing discussions about immigration, humanitarianism, and acceptance in contemporary society.
