Motril is the second largest town in the province of Granada, with a population of around 61,000 people. Locals are referred to Motrileños and Motrileñas. It was likely founded by the Phoenicians but may have predated them. At the time that the Christians retook the town from the Moors, there were 2,000 people living in it, who mostly were involved in fishing and the production of silk ad sugar.

History

On 4 December 2021, Patricia Aguilera and Raquel Ruz were attacked at a local cocktail bar in Motril. 22-year-old Aguilera and 24-year-old Ruz were head to the bar with a friend when a man came to speak to their friend as the two knew each other.  When the group tried to enter, the man blocked their path and asked if they thought he was homophobic and going to attack them.  The couple were unsure how to respond.  The 25-year-old man then said that Aguilera was confused and what she needed was a good cock.  At that point, he punched her. Ruz tried to intervene and protect Aguilera but was punched in the face.  She fell backwards and was unconscious for a few seconds.  During that time, the man hit Aguilera in the head with a beet bottle and then kicked her in the head.  The police then appeared on the scene. The women filed complaints against him, and he was processed though the courts in a speedy trial for an alleged crime causing minor injuries, facing a potential sentence of 3 months to 3 years in prison.

On 13 December 2021, a protest was held in the city to protest homophobia and to show support for Aguilera and Ruz.  It was attended by dozens of people. The main sign at the protest, attended by supporters wearing facemasks in compliance with covid-19 guidance, said, “Motril contra la violencia”.

See

Calle Gloria Fuertes is a street in the town named in honor of Gloria Fuertes. Fuertes was a poet and member of the Generación del 50, the first post-war generation of Spanish writers. She was a lesbian and feminist, and an important one in Francoist Spain at a time when the regime demanded conformity to strict ideological gender roles.

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