Reuters
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Following attacks on elderly people early in the week, violent clashes broke out between far-right groups in southeastern Spain towns late Saturday, local residents and North African migrants.
Five people were injured and one was arrested for fears of Torre Pacheco, local officials told Reuters. The town was quiet on Sunday, but government sources said more arrests are expected.
A video posted on social media showed a man dressed with a far-right symbol carrying a Moroccan flag throwing objects at each other in Saturday night violence.
Tensions flare between locals and immigrants after an elderly man was attacked on the streets Wednesday and caused injuries he was recovering at home. The reason behind the attack is unknown and no one has been arrested.
Mariola Guevara, the representative of the region’s central government, said Spanish public television was investigating the attack.
She also condemned “hate speech” and “inciting violence,” saying far-right groups will be moved to town and additional Guardian civil servants will be deployed to deal with the violence.
According to local government data, almost a third of Torre Pacheco’s population is of foreign origin.
The area surrounding the town in the Murcia region is home to numerous immigrants who work as daily workers in agriculture, one of the pillars of the local economy.
Less than two weeks later, the Murcian government had to betray the proposal to buy a home to accommodate unaccompanied immigrant minors as the ruling Conservative minors (PPs) are threatened by far-right VOX.
In 2000, violent anti-immigration protests broke out in the town of Elgido, the Almeria town of southern Spain, after three Spanish citizens were killed by Moroccan immigrants.
