The Canarian United Left (IUC) in Lanzarote has requested the "immediate resignation" of Echedey Eugenio, Deputy Mayor of Arrecife and Secretary of Organization of the Canarian Coalition on the island, following the racist statements he made during a local television talk show. Eugenio's words, in which he expressed his fear that migrant minors would share schools and health centers with his children and grandchildren, have been described by IUC as "an act of incitement to hatred that cannot be tolerated in a democratic society."
Along these lines, the Secretary General of the Socialist Youth of Lanzarote, Alejandro Alguacil, has also spoken out, showing his deep rejection of the statements of the Deputy Mayor of Arrecife after declaring: "Do you know with whom those 6,000 minors will share their schools and health centers when they become adults? With my children and my grandchildren."
Alguacil has described as "unacceptable" the words of a representative with public responsibilities and has expressed the indignation of the socialist youth of Lanzarote, who demand that the Canarian Coalition dismiss Eugenio for his racist and xenophobic comments. In the same vein, the PSOE of Lanzarote itself also issued a statement in the press released on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, Jorge Peñas, spokesperson for IUC in Lanzarote, has condemned Eugenio's statements, calling them "inadmissible" and "full of hatred." Peñas has stressed that this type of racist discourse "is not only dangerous, but also a serious threat to coexistence and mutual respect in a diverse community" such as Lanzarote.
"Eugenio's words reflect a profoundly xenophobic and unacceptable view of the migratory reality, a view that clashes head-on with the principles of solidarity and respect that should guide any political leader," said Peñas.
United Left has considered that Eugenio's statements cannot be treated as a simple mistake or slip, but as an act that requires a firm and clear response. "We are not talking about a mere personal opinion, but about a discourse that promotes discrimination and exclusion of vulnerable people, people who flee from extreme situations seeking safety and a better future," said Peñas. "This type of message has no place in politics or in any sphere of public life, and that is why we demand the immediate resignation of Echedey Eugenio from all his positions."
Meanwhile, Alguacil said on behalf of the Socialist Youth of Lanzarote that "these statements are a clear example of xenophobic discourse, and we consider it unacceptable that a public representative in Lanzarote uses his position to promote fear and hatred." "We are concerned that public representatives express themselves through this exclusive terminology, and especially when it comes from someone with a position of organic responsibility in the Canarian Coalition, and Mr. Eugenio is precisely an education professional," added Alguacil.
The socialist secretary indicated that "Lanzarote is an example of multicultural coexistence, and Mr. Eugenio's words go against those values that define our society. To pretend that the presence of migrant minors is a threat to our community is not only irresponsible, but also 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."
"From the Socialist Youth, we strongly reject the instrumentalization of the migratory crisis to sow fear among the population. Migration is not a problem, it is a global reality that requires solidarity, fair and humanitarian policies. Politics cannot be based on hatred of the different, and it is unacceptable that public leaders resort to these discourses to obtain political gain," added the secretary of the Socialist Youth of Lanzarote.
"For all this, we demand the immediate resignation of Echedey Eugenio. Lanzarote deserves representatives who promote coexistence and mutual respect, not politicians who promote fear, division and exclusion," concluded Alguacil.
To conclude, IUC recalled in its statement that the management of immigration is a complex challenge that requires humane and supportive solutions, and not the perpetuation of discourses that promote hatred and distrust. "Migrants, and especially unaccompanied minors, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They are not a threat, as Eugenio suggests, but people with rights that must be protected," stressed the IUC spokesperson.
In addition to asking for Eugenio's resignation, IUC has urged the Canarian Coalition to clearly pronounce on the statements of one of its leaders. "The Canarian Coalition has the responsibility to distance itself from this type of discourse and demonstrate that it does not share or tolerate these racist ideas. Silence or ambiguity on this matter will only serve to normalize and legitimize racism in our society," said Peñas.
