In the northwestern Spanish city of A Coruña, the city council has recognized two Senegalese migrants — Ibrahima Diack and Magatte N'Diaye — for exhibiting remarkable courage in the face of a violent homophobic attack. In a formal ceremony held on Monday, the duo was honored with the title "adopted sons of the city" in acknowledgment of their actions, which took place in July 2021, when they intervened to save Samuel Luiz, a gay man who was brutally assaulted by a mob.
The incident, which led to Luiz's tragic death from his injuries, ignited widespread outcry across Spain, prompting discussions on violence against marginalized groups. Mayor Inés Rey praised the men's actions during the ceremony, stating that their decision to intervene was an example of "pure heroism." Video footage from that night displayed many bystanders, but only Diack and N'Diaye stepped in to help. The mayor's remarks resonated with the importance of their actions, which she characterized as thought-provoking amidst the context of escalating violence.
Councillor Rosalía López also expressed her gratitude, thanking the migrants for risking their safety in a situation where they had everything to lose as undocumented individuals. Despite their precarious status, both men emphasized that they acted out of moral obligation. “We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,” N'Diaye remarked, echoing sentiments of duty over recognition.
Both individuals played key roles as witnesses in the trial of Luiz's attackers, as reported by Spanish media. The court ultimately found four men guilty of murder, with sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years, substantiated by the main assailant's usage of homophobic slurs during the attack.
Annually, Spain receives tens of thousands of migrants from nations like Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. The recognition of Diack and N'Diaye shines a light on the heroism that can emerge from unexpected places, advocating the importance of human dignity and respect in the face of adversity.
The incident, which led to Luiz's tragic death from his injuries, ignited widespread outcry across Spain, prompting discussions on violence against marginalized groups. Mayor Inés Rey praised the men's actions during the ceremony, stating that their decision to intervene was an example of "pure heroism." Video footage from that night displayed many bystanders, but only Diack and N'Diaye stepped in to help. The mayor's remarks resonated with the importance of their actions, which she characterized as thought-provoking amidst the context of escalating violence.
Councillor Rosalía López also expressed her gratitude, thanking the migrants for risking their safety in a situation where they had everything to lose as undocumented individuals. Despite their precarious status, both men emphasized that they acted out of moral obligation. “We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,” N'Diaye remarked, echoing sentiments of duty over recognition.
Both individuals played key roles as witnesses in the trial of Luiz's attackers, as reported by Spanish media. The court ultimately found four men guilty of murder, with sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years, substantiated by the main assailant's usage of homophobic slurs during the attack.
Annually, Spain receives tens of thousands of migrants from nations like Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. The recognition of Diack and N'Diaye shines a light on the heroism that can emerge from unexpected places, advocating the importance of human dignity and respect in the face of adversity.
