The PSOE of Arrecife will request the municipal plenary session to censure the deputy mayor of Arrecife and secretary of organization of the Canarian Coalition on the island, Echedey Eugenio, after his recent statements in a local media outlet. In his comments, Eugenio expressed his rejection of unaccompanied migrant minors, raising questions that cast doubt on their integration into the community: "Do you know who those 6,000 minors will share their schools and health centers with when they become adults? With my children and my grandchildren."
The PSOE of Arrecife has stated, through the spokesperson of the Socialist Group, Alfredo Mendoza, that these statements "are unacceptable and go against the values of solidarity and respect for human rights that should govern any democratic society." "We cannot allow fear and rejection speeches towards migrant minors to be promoted from public office, who deserve and need protection and support, not stigmatization," said the socialist spokesperson.
Likewise, Mendoza stressed that "Eugenio's words are not only offensive, but promote xenophobia and divide society at a time when unity and commitment are needed to manage the challenges posed by migration." "Unaccompanied migrant minors are not a threat, they are children and adolescents who have gone through extreme situations and need our help," emphasizes the socialist.
Alfredo Mendoza has also expressed his astonishment at the words of the representative of the Canarian Coalition, given that "they show that Mr. Eugenio does not understand the reality of the city in which he lives. In Arrecife, many people of different origins already live together, being a multicultural and diverse place that has been built by the interaction of numerous cultures throughout history."
"Lanzarote and Arrecife are examples of multicultural coexistence, and Mr. Eugenio's words go against those values that precisely define our society," he pointed out. "Pretending that the presence of migrant minors is a threat to our community is not only irresponsible, but directly attacks the dignity of the most vulnerable people. We cannot allow that in times of humanitarian crisis, those who flee from hunger and violence are singled out as dangers."
Therefore, the Socialist Group will request in the next plenary session of Arrecife the official censure of the deputy mayor, demanding that he retract his statements, apologize to the people who may have felt offended, and adopt a more constructive and respectful attitude towards all people regardless of their origin from now on.