Violent Protests Instigated by Right-Wing Groups in Southern Spain Following Assault on Senior Citizens
Recent days have seen violent clashes in the Spanish town of Torre Pacheco, located in the region of Murcia, between right-wing extremist groups and migrants. The unrest was sparked by an attack on a local elderly man, Domingo, who was reportedly beaten by three youths of North African origin.
Despite a significant police presence, groups armed with clubs went on a rampage, targeting people with a migrant background. The municipal government had organised a peaceful demonstration to calm tensions, but it was overshadowed by far-right elements shouting anti-migrant slogans. One identified group, "Deport Them Now," actively posted messages on social media inciting attacks against North African migrants.
The regional government head, Fernando Lopez Miras, and Torre Pacheco's mayor, Pedro Angel Roca Ternel, urged residents to remain calm and restore normalcy, condemning the violence. Spain’s Youth Minister, Sira Rego, from the far-left Sumar party, explicitly blamed the "ultra-right" for inciting and exacerbating the violence against migrants.
Migrants make up about 30% of the population in Torre Pacheco, which is twice the average in Spain, according to "El Mundo." This demographic shift has been a contentious issue, with the far-right scene in Spain using the unresolved incident to equate immigration and crime. Threats have been circulating on social media against Moroccan families living in Torre Pacheco for days.
Several people were reportedly injured during the riots, and there was one arrest. However, the suspects in the attack on Mr. Domingo have not yet been caught. The "Deport Them Now" group's online propaganda exemplifies how these networks exploit social media to call for and coordinate violence, exacerbating social divisions and fueling unrest in towns like Torre Pacheco.
The regional government of Murcia has not yet taken any specific measures to address the escalating violence in Torre Pacheco. Lopez Miras expressed understanding for the frustration but emphasized that nothing justifies violence. The call for violence on Telegram, targeting North African people, remains active and unaddressed.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenge of far-right extremism in Spain, where online propaganda and organized far-right groups play a critical role in inciting anti-migrant violence, threatening social cohesion, and public order.
The regional government of Murcia is yet to institute specific policies to curb the escalating violence in Torre Pacheco, raising concerns about the general-news and crime-and-justice situation in the town. The ongoing threat of far-right extremist groups, such as "Deport Them Now," on social media platforms like Telegram, emphasizes the need for stronger community and employment policies to foster inclusivity, address migration issues, and combat hate speech.
