The Town Hall of Torremolinos has joined the European Day of Victims of Hate Crimes. The lookout tower of La Batería Park and the Congress Palace will be illuminated in blue tonight.
The Town Hall of Torremolinos has participated this Wednesday, 22nd July, in the commemoration of the European Day of Victims of Hate Crimes, a date established by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The initiative, promoted by the Movement Against Intolerance since 2014, remembers the victims of these crimes and, in particular, the 77 people murdered in the Oslo and Utoya massacre (Norway) in 2011 at the hands of extremist Anders Breivik.
As part of this day, and under the slogan of the campaign 'Tolerance extinguishes hate', the Torremolinos council has announced that it will illuminate two of its most emblematic buildings in blue: the lookout tower of La Batería Park and the Congress Palace. The lighting will be activated at dusk this Wednesday as a symbol of support for the victims and rejection of intolerance.
Furthermore, the Town Hall has adhered to the manifesto promoted by the Movement Against Intolerance, which calls for a Comprehensive Law against Hate Crimes and Universal Victim Protection. The text emphasizes the need to address this issue from prevention to sanction, as well as comprehensive assistance to those who suffer these crimes.
“We find ourselves in a context of growing extremist polarization and projections of hate that deny the universal value of human dignity, its freedoms, and the rights of the person due to their diversity or the manifestations of their human condition,” states the manifesto.
The document, which has been joined by numerous municipalities and entities, insists that hate crimes “refer to any criminal action motivated by intolerance towards those who are different.” The Town Hall of Torremolinos has shown its commitment to defending human rights and protecting victims, in line with the democratic values of harmony, tolerance, inclusion, plurality, and peace.
The day of 22nd July was established by the Council of Europe in memory of the 2011 attack when a far-right extremist killed 77 people, most of whom were teenagers participating in a summer camp on the island of Utoya. Since then, this date serves to highlight the fight against hate crimes and to honour all victims of criminal intolerance.
In Torremolinos, the lighting of public buildings is part of other awareness-raising actions that take place throughout the year. The Town Hall has highlighted that the initiative aims to involve citizens in building a more inclusive and respectful society towards diversity.
The campaign 'Tolerance extinguishes hate' also includes the dissemination of informative materials and the organization of educational activities in the municipality's schools. The goal is to raise awareness among new generations about the importance of rejecting any form of discrimination and violence based on hate.
With this gesture, Torremolinos joins the network of municipalities that every 22nd July remember the victims of hate crimes and demand a firm response from the administrations. The blue lighting can be seen throughout the night at the two designated points.
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