SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, Feb. 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
Francisco García, the head of the University of La Laguna, and Víctor Martín, the director of the Centre for African Studies, have voiced their disapproval of the act of vandalism that took place last weekend when an unidentified individual set fire to the boat installed on the Guajara Campus on May 25, Africa Day, in memory of the victims of the Canarian migratory route.
Francisco García and Víctor Martín visited the remnants of the fire on Monday and condemned the incident. “It is time to stand up for the silent majority against the disruptive minority. We need to amplify the voices that usually go unheard, which make up the vast majority. Let this serve as a barrier against those who may be a minority but seek to cause a lot of disturbance,” stated the head of the university.
Francisco García reported that the fire occurred at around 8:45 p.m. on Friday, and the Security Service promptly notified the police and firefighters. An investigation is underway, the details of which he opted not to disclose as a matter of discretion, although he expressed his hope that the facts will be clarified and “the individuals responsible for this act of vandalism will be brought to justice.”
He also emphasised the importance of the site as a memorial to the victims of the “fatal” Canary Islands route in search of a better future, from which “they are deprived in their places of origin due to the injustices of the planet’s socioeconomic system.” The monument embodies the values of the university, which “are founded on peace, justice, and tolerance”, and now its remains will serve as a symbol against irrationality.
In light of this, the head of the university observed that Canarian society, and particularly the university community, is tolerant, and pointed out that an act of vandalism of this magnitude had never previously occurred on its premises. It was at this point that he championed the silent and tolerant majority of the university, which, now more than ever, must be heard over the disrupting minority.
Meanwhile, the director of the Centre for African Studies denounced the incident as an attack on the university itself, “which in its statutes emphasises respect for human rights and the struggle for social justice.” He highlighted the purpose of the memorial in honour “of the victims who perish every year on the Canary Islands migration route, numbering in the thousands: last year alone, more people died than in the Twin Towers attacks.”
The boat was positioned facing south, urging people to direct their gaze towards that direction. “In addition to the symbolism this memorial already held, it now attains an additional significance: the fight against intolerance and against such actions. Today we show our resolve to overturn it. If last year there were 300 people at the inauguration, hopefully, on May 25 next, there will be 600 or a thousand people, as we represent the majority. They are the minority and have no place in an institution like this.”
