They wore hoods, chased down and stopped two foreign food delivery drivers, beat them up, and robbed them, sending them to the hospital.
This racist attack occurred almost simultaneously with the vandalism at the Regional School of Kiti in Larnaca.
The school was targeted because it was designated to host civilians, should that become necessary. The graffiti on the walls, beyond the usual fan slogans, clearly indicated far-right, racist elements. The swastika they drew, for example, betrays the perpetrators. They embrace Nazi symbols, Hitler, and his ideology, which remains “alive” and is propagated through far-right political groups and fan clubs.
This mindset feeds on the racist instincts of a society filled with dead ends. When issues remain unaddressed and are allowed to fester, they provide a breeding ground for the ignorant to embrace the arms of the Nazi far-right. These groups rationalise their personal frustrations and idiocy through ideology.
Often cowardly, they wear hoods to attack—in this case, in Limassol—two hard-working men who were heading home after a long, exhausting day. What had these men done to deserve this? Had they taken their homes or their jobs? Are they not the same people who deliver food to their homes while they lounge on their couches? There is no logical explanation. They are foreigners, dark-skinned, and vulnerable…
These two incidents may have happened at the same time, and perhaps those involved do not know each other, but they are connected and reflect an extreme trend within society. These recent events are a continuation of the episodes in Chloraka and Limassol. The fascist attacks in these areas reveal a trend that clearly does not represent a majority. But that does not mean they should be considered isolated incidents. When such events are repeated, they cannot be dismissed as isolated. They must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.
Such phenomena are either addressed or allowed to flourish. There is no middle ground. And as the political system slowly normalises the far-right, with increasing tolerance, we are witnessing a gradual rise in its electoral strength.
In the case of the attack on the two Indian food delivery drivers, arrests have been made. More are expected, according to police sources. These cases will likely make their way to court. There are no excuses, nor can we accept claims that it was just “a joke” or that they are “just kids.”
We are observing these social phenomena, which have some common characteristics. Their xenophobia and racist attitudes target poor migrants, people from countries where survival is a daily struggle. Their racism is directed only at these individuals, these vulnerable groups. It does not extend to wealthy foreigners, whom they obey with servility.
Unfortunately, xenophobic rhetoric is often observed in the public sphere. These attitudes are partly a result of the ongoing migration issue, which has persisted over time and occasionally flares up due to other factors. However, racist behaviour is never justified and must be confronted.
We are a country with a history of migration dating back to the previous century, a country that has experienced and continues to experience displacement. That is why such behaviour has no place here.
P.S.: They say that civilians are welcome to be hosted if the situation in our neighbourhood requires it, but… The essence is always in that “but.” “Not in our neighbourhood,” “not next to us.” They should be somewhere far away…
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