Racism escalates in El Ejido
01 November 2003
The situation in El Ejido, the city in the province of Almería that is notorious for the many attacks on migrants that took place three years ago, has deteriorated recently. Migrants, mainly from Maghreb countries, are facing systematic assaults at the hands of groups of fascist gangs carrying chains and baseball bats or throwing stones. Around 20 victims have been taken to hospital over the last few months due to beatings that they received. After several months of inactivity, on 8 November 2003 the Guardia Civil (the Spanish paramilitary police force) detained three youths who were said to be responsible for the attacks.