The Councilor for Citizen Security of the Arrecife City Council, Kevin Cortés, has told on the program Good morning, Lanzarote of Radio Lanzarote - Onda Cero how he is after the racist and xenophobic comments received on social media after a publication this weekend where he warned about the poor condition of the sea on the capital's coast.
The association Lanzarote Acción Civil came out in his defense publicly denouncing these comments directed towards the councilman. In this regard, he pointed out that "I am grateful to this association for the solidarity and empathy they have shown, and also for having brought this to light." Thus, he also thanked the Popular Party and its members.
As for how he is, Cortés has revealed that "I am with a wounded soul, but with a clear conscience because I know that these four comments do not represent the rabbit society and I know that Spain and the Canary archipelago historically are characterized by being a supportive people, respectful of those who come from outside and who receive us with open arms".
"It hurts to hear these types of comments and thinking that I have an elderly mother and some daughters to whom I try to give a good example and who do not get contaminated with bad things, but well, it's inevitable because social media to be there and this has gone viral," has continued.
A dart against Vox
The councilman has stressed that he has been living on the island for 24 years and that "he was already seasoned in this type of situation because I have lived them", since it is not the first time he receives racist and xenophobic comments. Likewise, he has pointed out that this hatred coming from a part of society is based on "seeing who is more rowdy or who does more harm". Thus, he has assured that these people "if they wanted to hurt me, they have succeeded, but they did not count on my resilience".
For his part, he has said that "if I had to declare myself guilty for being one hundred percent Honduran, I would do it, but also that they blame me for being one hundred percent conejero because I feel more integrated into this society than the Guatiza cochineals".
On the other hand, he pointed out that the increase in racist comments is being fueled by certain parties like Vox. "Vox is fueling a hate speech and it is evident, but I also understand many people from Lanzarote who are tired of the apathy regarding migratory policies and the migrant who comes to bother Lanzarote and who do not respect our culture, society, or heritage", he opined, although also that "not all of us are the same".
"The Popular Party is not a racist party, it is a formation that protects private property and that, like any person, if someone comes to bother their home, they will be annoyed and we defend the neighbor and everyone who wants to be with the "conejera" society", he concluded.