In Almendralejo (Extremadura), the xenophobic message “Stop invasión” was found in the morning on the façade of the Fundación Ruy López building. The incident occurred a few days after the launch of an emergency migrant legalization procedure, in which the foundation is an official partner and assists with documentation. The organization promptly contacted the National Police to record the act of vandalism.
According to the foundation’s management, their center has long been a place where people from various cultures interact without conflict. They provide Spanish language courses for migrants, support children from vulnerable families, and offer advice on diploma recognition, family reunification, and obtaining citizenship. The foundation’s president, Ana Macías, noted that the team worked until late in the evening, and there were no signs of the inscription. In the morning, employees found the offensive text on the wall. The incident caused concern among the staff, but the foundation’s leadership emphasizes that expressions of hatred should be met not with aggression, but with support for dialogue and joint work.
Masías recalled that Extremadura has historically been a region of emigration, and this should foster greater understanding towards newcomers. In Almendralejo, she said, migrants make up about 12% of the population, which is linked to high demand for labor in agriculture and the care sector. Many of them are in difficult situations and without legal status. The foundation’s president is convinced: migration supports the region’s economy and helps revive small towns suffering from population decline.
Reaction of society and authorities
The foundation connects the incident to the political context: a new government was recently formed in Extremadura, where the coalition agreement between PP and Vox introduced the term ‘priority of national interests,’ implying preference for Spanish citizens over migrants. That same day, after the inscription appeared on the foundation’s building, local residents and representatives of public organizations gathered. They held a solidarity event, covering up the offensive text and expressing support for the foundation’s staff.
The municipal authorities also responded to the incident. The city’s councilor for social affairs, Isabel Ballesteros, publicly condemned the act of vandalism and assured that the Ayuntamiento de Almendralejo supports the foundation and stands for equal rights for all city residents.
Context and consequences
The region continues to see a wave of applications from migrants seeking to legalize their status. Despite the incident, the foundation is not suspending its operations and continues to implement educational and social projects, including chess clubs for young people. The organization emphasizes that all its programs are aimed at improving lives regardless of the participants’ backgrounds.
The Asociación Migrante Obrera de Extremadura (AMOEX) also voiced its position, stating that such incidents are not isolated and are directly related to political rhetoric that portrays migrants as a threat. AMOEX leader Alejandro Peña believes that the use of terms like “invasion” in public debates leads to stigmatization and provokes real acts of hostility.
Issues of migration and social tension are becoming increasingly visible in various regions of Spain. For example, in Valencia, authorities recently tightened rules for tourist apartments and transportation in order to reduce pressure on the city’s infrastructure — you can read more about this in our article about new restrictions on rentals and tourism in Valencia.
