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I’ve seen several nights of anxiety in the town of Tore Pacheco in southern Spain
A total of 14 people were arrested and additional police were deployed after attacks on pensioners caused anti-immigrant anxiety in small towns in southern Spain.
Three North African origins are in custody on suspicion of attacking a 68-year-old man in Torre Pacheco last Wednesday.
The anxiety began after the video was distributed on social media, burning a town of 40,000 people home to a large immigrant population.
Pension recipients and police later said the video had nothing to do with the incident, but social media called to find and attack the perpetrator.
On Friday, a group armed with batons could be seen roaming the city of Tore Pacheco.
One far-right group called “Deport Them Now” called for an attack on people of North African origin. Further messages on social media have called for new attacks on immigrants over three days this week.
A key member of the extremist group was detained in the town of Mataro, the northeastern town of the town of Mataro, for allegedly spreading hate speech.
The 68-year-old victim of last Wednesday’s attack was locally appointed as Domingo Tomás Domínguez, and told Spanish media he was hit while threw on the ground and taking a morning walk.
Photos circulating on social media showed his face being vastly bruiseed.
Police said the motive for the attack was unknown. Dominguez said he was not asked to hand over his money or belongings and did not understand the language the attackers were speaking.
The police presence has been strengthened, with over 130 officers from both Murcia and local police, both local police, citizens of Guardia.
Spanish media said that all three arrested on suspicion of attacking pensioners are of Moroccan origin, in their early 20s and do not have Torre Pacheco residents.
One of the suspects was arrested Monday as he was ready to board a train from the Basque region to cross the border.
Reuters
Town religious leaders seek peace
The worst anxiety occurred over the weekend when a group of young people (with several hoods) attacked vehicles and businesses. Also, conflicts have been reported between far-right groups and people of North African origin.
On Sunday night, journalists witnessed dozens of young people throwing glass bottles and other objects at riot police.
In a CCTV video shared by several Spanish outlets, a group of men armed with bats and sticks could be seen destroying kebab shops on the same night.
Torre Pacheco Mayor Pedroángel Roca called on the immigrant community to “not leave the house and stand up to the rioters.”
Many of the town’s immigrant-based residents work in the booming agricultural sector of the area, with some complaining that they no longer feel safe in the town. The mayor said they have lived in Torre Pacheco for more than 20 years.
Users of the extreme telegram group reportedly asked people to gather from other parts of Spain and participate in the North African “hunting” over three days this week. Their channel was then closed.
Home Minister Fernando Grande Marlasca attributed the violence to anti-immigrant rhetoric from Spain’s third largest political force, far-right groups such as Vox, and political parties such as Vox.
Reuters
Approximately 130 officers are deployed as part of a combination of police and civil security forces.
Vox leader Santiago Abascal denied responsibility for the riots and denounced the “mass immigration” policy that allowed perpetrators of last week’s attacks to enter the country.
Speaking about migration, Abascal said: “It stole our borders, it stole our peace, our prosperity.”
Murcia’s prosecutors last week began an investigation into a hate crime against VOX’s regional president, Jose Angel Antero, who cited the “negligence” of two major Spanish political parties, the popular party (PP) and the Socialist Party (PSOE).
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in X: “What we see at Torre Pacheco challenges us all. We must speak up, act firmly and unite us. Spain is a country of rights, not hatred.”
