Feb 19 • 19:32 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

A hundred people support Salma, the woman who escaped from her captor in Murcia: 'If they touch one of us, they touch us all'

A hundred people gathered in Murcia to support Salma, a Moroccan woman who escaped from her captor after nearly two years of abuse, highlighting issues of institutional racism and gender-based violence.

In Murcia, Spain, a demonstration was held to support Salma, a 38-year-old Moroccan woman who escaped from her captor after enduring almost two years of severe abuse, including torture and sexual violence. Attendees chanted slogans emphasizing solidarity among women, with the prominent message that if one woman is harmed, all women are affected. The gathering featured a black banner with the powerful phrase, 'If they touch one of us, they touch us all.' This expression of unity underscores a growing awareness and demand for action against gender-based violence.

The event, organized by the Feminist Movement of the Region of Murcia, aimed to draw attention not only to Salma's plight but also to systemic issues surrounding racism and gender inequality in Spain. The organizers criticized what they termed "institutional and structural racism" that contributed to the silence surrounding Salma's disappearance and the lack of urgency in media coverage and public reaction. They pointed out that Salma had been missing for 680 days without significant public outcry or media involvement, suggesting that biases related to race and gender played a crucial role in the level of attention her case received.

This gathering is part of a larger movement advocating for more robust responses to violence against women, especially for those from marginalized communities. Activists are calling for systemic changes to ensure that such cases are addressed promptly and effectively, with a clear message that the suffering of any individual woman is a collective issue that demands societal action and solidarity. The chants and messages during the demonstration reflect the ongoing struggle against gender-based violence and the urgency of addressing both racism and sexism in Spain's social fabric.

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