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\nSince July 11, 2025, \u00a0anti-immigration riots\u00a0 have shaken southern Spain, fueled by online hatred raids and the massive diffusion of \u00a0racist slogans\u00a0 by far-right groups. This article aims to unpack the developments surrounding these events and their repercussions on the local communities and political landscape.\n<\/p>\n
The \u00a0spark\u00a0 of these riots was ignited online, where extremist groups launched \u00a0racist slogans\u00a0 calling for the \u00a0“hunting”\u00a0 of individuals of foreign origin. This surge of online animosity followed the assault of a pensioner in southern Spain, as detailed by El Pa\u00eds<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n On the night of July 11, the first riots erupted in Torre Pacheco, a municipality of approximately 40,000 residents. These disturbances rapidly extended across parts of the country, creating a climate of fear as the government struggled to control the \u00a0rise\u00a0 in \u00a0racial hatred\u00a0. Accusations have been levied against the opposition party, \u00a0Vox\u00a0, by left-leaning politicians and experts in misinformation.<\/p>\n A photograph depicting a retiree attacked in Torre Pacheco while on a morning walk became a \u00a0catalyst\u00a0 for widespread outrage. According to the victim, he was assaulted by a man who \u00a0“spoke his language,”\u00a0 as reported by The Del Murcia Opinion<\/em><\/a>. This incident served as a narrative launching pad for social media, igniting a belief that foreign nationals were \u00a0attacking\u00a0 vulnerable Spanish citizens.<\/p>\n The attack on the retiree, along with memories of similar incidents, provided an \u00a0excuse\u00a0 for uninhibited online \u00a0racism\u00a0. A young individual responded to the image of the elderly victim with the chilling statement: \u00a0“No more impunity. No more abandonment. Quartier per neighborhood, we regain control.”\u00a0 This rhetoric quickly transitioned into calls for public action, with individuals pledging to converge on \u00a0Torre Pacheco\u00a0 the following day.<\/p>\n However, it is important to note that the highly publicized assault of this retiree is not uniquely attributable to an individual of foreign origin. While online sentiments cast blame on entire communities, an investigation remains ongoing with no clear conclusions. The victim himself has not called for \u00a0revenge\u00a0 or the scapegoating of any group, stating plainly, \u00a0“I don’t want violence,”\u00a0 as reported by Murcia’s Opinion<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n As reported by witnesses, \u00a0“If the ultras grab you alone, they beat you up.”\u00a0 The anti-immigration riots escalated on July 11, continuing for several consecutive evenings. Masked groups, sometimes armed with sticks or even machetes, roamed the streets of Torre Pacheco, expressing their vitriol by proclaiming \u00a0“Clean Spain.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The Civil Guard has been engaged in nightly confrontations with these rioters, who primarily target the neighborhoods inhabited by the city\u2019s Moroccan community and commercial establishments, particularly \u00a0kebabs\u00a0. The government refers to these disturbances as \u00a0“isolated but controlled,”\u00a0 although the reality on the ground seems more chaotic.<\/p>\n Adding fuel to the fire, several officials from the far-right party, \u00a0Vox\u00a0, disseminated false information regarding the retiree’s assault and the subsequent riots, sharing images of those they alleged were involved in the attacks. One of the first individuals to circulate this misinformation was Vox marketing manager \u00a0Pablo Gonz\u00e1lez Gasca\u00a0. This has led to accusations from the \u00a0Socialist Party\u00a0 of the Region, particularly its secretary general, \u00a0Francisco Lucas\u00a0, who announced plans to file a complaint against \u00a0Jos\u00e9 Angel Antelo\u00a0, the regional spokesperson for Vox, for \u00a0“alleged hatred crime.”\u00a0 Lucas accused Antelo of exploiting societal tensions for electoral advantages, especially in light of Vox’s recent proposal for \u00a0“remigration,”\u00a0 which seeks to \u00a0massively expel\u00a0 foreigners.<\/p>\n The ongoing situation in southern Spain serves as a reminder of the powerful interplay between online discourse and real-world actions. As tensions remain high, communities grapple with the societal fallout of these events, raising critical questions about immigration, identity, and belonging.<\/p>\nAct 1: The Assault of a Retiree<\/h2>\n
Act 2: Rise of Online Hatred<\/h2>\n
Act 3: Racist Riots<\/h2>\n
Act 4: Political Recovery<\/h2>\n