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Spanish city honours foreigners who intervened in homophobic attack
A Coruña has recognised two Senegalese men for their bravery in trying to save victim Samuel Luiz
The northern Spanish city of A Coruña has formally recognised two Senegalese migrants for their courageous actions in attempting to save a young man who was fatally attacked in a homophobic assault.
Magatte N'Diaye (above, left) and Ibrahima Diack (right) were awarded the honorary status of “adopted sons of the city” during a ceremony held at the city council hall on Monday February 24. The recognition was given in appreciation of their intervention during the brutal attack on 24-year-old Samuel Luiz in July 2021.
Luiz was targeted by a group of men outside a nightclub in A Coruña and subjected to a sustained beating that ultimately led to his death. The attack, which was filmed by some bystanders while others stood by, sparked national outrage and widespread condemnation across Spain.
In stark contrast to the inaction of others present that night, Mr Diack and Mr N’Diaye were the only ones who stepped forward to try to stop the attack. Their intervention, despite the risks to their own safety and legal status, was described as “pure altruism” by A Coruña’s mayor, Inés Rey (above, centre).
“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 and a series of lessons,” she said.
Another councillor, Rosalía López, took to Instagram to thank the men for their actions, stating, “Thank you for your example in risking everything despite having a lot to lose.”
At the time of the attack, both men were living in Spain without legal documentation and working irregular jobs. Their intervention placed them at risk of exposure to authorities and potential deportation. However, both have maintained that they simply did what they believed was right.
“We are not heroes, we did what we had to do,” Mr N'Diaye said at the ceremony. Mr Diack echoed this sentiment, emphasising that he was raised with values of respect and integrity, despite growing up in a family with little material wealth.
During Monday’s event, the two men were presented with plaques officially declaring them as ‘Adopted Sons of A Coruña’ in recognition of their selfless bravery.
Beyond their immediate actions that night, Mr Diack and Mr N’Diaye played a key role in the trial of Samuel Luiz’s killers last November. Their testimonies contributed to securing convictions for four men involved in the attack.
A jury found the attackers guilty of murder, with sentences ranging from 10 to 24 years. The court ruled that the primary perpetrator, who received the longest sentence, had used homophobic slurs during the attack, cementing the crime’s classification as an act of hate.
The case reignited conversations in Spain about hate crimes and the treatment of undocumented migrants. Every year, thousands of migrants reach Spanish shores, particularly from Mali, Senegal and Morocco, often undertaking perilous journeys across the Mediterranean or the Atlantic in search of a better life.
The honouring of Mr Diack and Mr N’Diaye stands as a powerful acknowledgment of their humanity and courage in the face of adversity. While they reject the label of “heroes”, their actions continue to inspire and serve as a stark contrast to the apathy or paralysing fear that too often accompanies such tragic events.
Image: Concello da Coruña
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