A 20-year-old Palermo resident from Senegal was beaten over the weekend in the Italian city, sparking outcry both in the Sicilian capital and across the country due to the racial slurs shouted by his attackers. A group of adolescents allegedly approached him, punched him in the face and yelled "dirty nigger, get out of here."
In the early morning hours of Sunday in an area of Palermo popular for its nightlife, a 20-year-old man of Senegalese origin was surrounded by a group of young, angry youths.
One shouted "dirty nigger" at him, at which point the attack began. Kande Boubacar, the victim, was on his way home crossing the center on his bike.
The group stopped him not far from Teatro Massimo just before 2 am.
Boubacar tried to seek shelter, then defended himself but was unable to fend off punches to his face.
Many people were around but did not initially intervene, possibly out of fear or surprise. Two young men then went to Boubacar's side and one called the police. When the attackers realized that the young man was no longer alone, they fled.
Anger on social media
Police are now trying to find the attackers using footage from video surveillance and descriptions given by the victim, who started sobbing in front of the police, as well as others present when the attack occurred. The investigation seems to be focusing on a group of adolescents.
Boubacar was taken to the hospital by ambulance and was treated for injuries expected to heal within 10 days.
"I am ashamed of what we have become," one woman commented. Another said ''last night Kande was going home from work. What is the reason behind all this hatred simply because of the color of his skin?"
Another apologized for "the wickedness and violence used against him." Those who stood by and did not try to stop the attack were also criticized.
Boubacar, who works as a waiter in a restaurant, thanked an Italian woman named Nunzia Miraglia who "adopted" him three years ago after his mother died.
He said that "Palermo is a very beautiful city, welcoming and anti-racist. There are a few who I would advise to travel the world a bit and see how things work. They are truly animals, too close-minded. What does being black or white mean?"
Interior minister calls for heightened attention
Italy's Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese said that "unfortunately there are incidents that we must give maximum attention to, which are happening ever more often."
Lamorgese
added that she had spoken to the Palermo prefect and sent her best wishes to the young Senegalese victim. Leoluca Orlando, the mayor of Palermo, said that while there's a small number of "uncivilized, barbaric cowards," most of the residents are people that the city can be proud of.
Orlando, who bestowed honorary citizenship on migrant rescuers on Wednesday, added that among the latter are "those young Palermo residents who intervened to defend Kande." Orlando also praised the young Senegalese man himself for "continuing to express his love for Palermo
despite everything that happened to him."