Memorial and Call for Justice for Samuel Louiz in A Coruña
Memories of Samuel Louiz remain vivid for many residents. About 250 people gathered yesterday in front of Riazor beach to honor the young man, who died two years ago after a brutal beating. Five defendants faced the case, four of them male and one female, with three currently in prison. Two other minors have already received a sentence of three and a half years in a closed regime. The gathering served as a moment to pay tribute and to repeatedly call Samuel’s name. A resident of A Coruña, Jon, joined the vigil organized by ALAS A Coruña to make sure the community does not forget what happened two years earlier.
Participants observed a minute of silence, a solemn interval filled with emotion and tears. The event drew not only city residents and representatives from ALAS but also family members of the victim and members of the municipal council. Ana García, president of the association, stressed that it is crucial to keep Samuel’s memory alive and to continue to demand justice for a crime described as very cruel. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that the incident is not forgotten, no matter how much time passes.
The Riazor tribune beside Playa Club filled with attendees who arrived decorated with rainbow flags, flowers, and even shirts bearing Samuel’s face. After the moment of silence, the crowd erupted into applause. The scene was accompanied by performances from artist Sophie Simonds, who sang for the audience before many moved on to Buenos Aires street. There, Samuel, who would have turned 24 in 2021, was fatally assaulted in the early hours of July 2nd of that year. The mood was one of grief and resilience as the community reflected on the violence that ended a young life.
Many described Samuel as a person whose life was abruptly taken during a holiday period. The community rejected the idea that such acts should ever be tolerated, insisting that this tragedy should never be forgotten and should serve as a warning that prejudice and violence have no place in the city or beyond. Marta, wrapped in a multicolored flag, spoke about the event’s homophobic dimension and the ongoing need to stand up against hate. Police investigations indicated that Samuel faced homophobic insults during the assault. The participants voiced a belief that the collective memory must press for accountability and ensure that similar acts are prevented in the future.
The vigil also raised a broader call to action: the idea that streets belong to everyone and that communities must come together to seek truth and justice. A banner placed beside the floral tribute at the place of Samuel’s death carried the message, “We neither forget nor forgive,” underscoring the desire for a transparent legal process. The case remains active, with hopes that the path to resolution will become clearer as proceedings move forward and the court weighs the evidence. The gathering closed with a shared determination to keep Samuel’s name in public memory and to reinforce the commitment to a fair and thorough investigation, a sentiment echoed by attendees who urged continued vigilance against violence and discrimination. [ALAS A Coruña attribution]