Key points:
- Two Senegalese migrants intervened in a homophobic attack
- A Coruña granted them “adopted sons” status for their bravery
- Their testimonies helped convict four men for murder
A SPANISH city has formally recognised two Senegalese migrants for their heroic actions in attempting to save a man from a deadly homophobic attack, according to a report by the BBC.
On Monday, Ibrahima Diack and Magatte N’Diaye were named ‘Adopted Sons of A Coruña’ in a ceremony at the city council hall. Their bravery was acknowledged by Mayor Inés Rey, who described their intervention as ‘pure heroism.’
Standing against violence
The attack occurred in July 2021, when 24-year-old Samuel Luiz was brutally assaulted outside a nightclub in A Coruña, in Spain’s northwest. A mob kicked and punched Luiz, while bystanders watched or recorded the attack on their phones.
Diack and N’Diaye were the only ones who physically intervened. At the time, both men were undocumented migrants, working irregular jobs and at risk of deportation. Despite the dangers, they chose to act.
‘That two undocumented migrants were the only ones who risked themselves to help the victim of a pack thirsting for horror leaves much food for thought,’ said Mayor Rey.
Recognition and justice
At the ceremony, councillors and city officials praised their courage, and the two were presented with plaques.
‘We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,’ said N’Diaye.
‘I was born in a family that doesn’t have much, but they gave me values,’ added Diack.
Their testimonies were crucial in securing justice for Luiz. In November 2023, a Spanish court convicted four men for murder, sentencing them to between 10 and 24 years. The main accused received the longest sentence after the court confirmed homophobic slurs were used during the attack.
A lasting impact
The recognition of Diack and N’Diaye highlights the contributions of migrants in Spain, where tens of thousands arrive illegally each year, particularly from Mali, Senegal, and Morocco. Their actions stand as a powerful example of courage and humanity, despite their vulnerable status.
