Court expels from markets seller accused of homophobic aggression against Pere Garau

PalmThe Palma City Council will provisionally suspend the sales activity of the alleged perpetrator of the homophobic aggression against a seller at the Pere Garau market. The measure has been adopted after the Markets area prepared a report based on the Local Police report, and comes in a context of strong indignation in the neighborhood due to events that have generated an immediate social response.

As reported by the City Council, the decision means that the investigated merchant will not be able to temporarily carry out his activity in municipal markets. Furthermore, the sales stall linked to the alleged aggressor, which belongs to another owner, will be relocated within the same market as a preventive measure. The City Council does not rule out adopting new decisions once the police investigations are concluded and depending on the responsibilities that may arise from the events.

Cort has "resoundingly" condemned any conduct of hate or discrimination, which it considers incompatible with a "democratic, diverse and inclusive" society. In this regard, the councilor for Public Function, Citizen Security and Markets, Llorenç Bauzá, has stressed that these are behaviors "that do not represent the citizens of Palma", while the councilor for Equality, Lourdes Roca, has emphasized the need to continue moving towards a city "inclusive and free of hate". Both attended this Tuesday's rally in support of the victim, to whom they have personally conveyed institutional solidarity and offered their support.

Neighborhood support

The City Council's decision came after dozens of people gathered at the Pere Garau market to show their support for the assaulted vendor and condemn the attack. The mobilization has highlighted the existing unease among residents and users of this municipal facility, a usual space for coexistence between traders and customers.

In this context, MÉS per Palma participated in the protest and denounced the “seriousness” of the events, as well as the initial lack of reaction from the governing team. The party's spokesperson, Neus Truyol, warned that an assault for reasons of sexual orientation “ is an attack on all of society” and called for a “firm and unequivocal” response from the institutions. The eco-sovereignists also demanded that the events be investigated, that support be given to the victim, and that effective protocols be established to prevent homophobic assaults in public spaces.

It should be recalled that last week a vendor at the Pere Garau market was the victim of an alleged homophobic assault by another merchant at the same venue. According to sources close to the victim, the man was allegedly physically assaulted while receiving insults about his sexual orientation, with expressions such as “maricón”.

As a consequence of the events, the vendor reportedly suffered physical injuries and considerable emotional impact. Sources close to him indicate that he is a well-known and well-regarded person in the neighborhood, a fact that has contributed to increasing indignation and supportive responses.

The assault, which has already been reported and is in the hands of the Justice system, has reopened the debate on the persistence of discriminatory attitudes and the need to strengthen prevention and response mechanisms against this type of violence in public spaces.