"Atheist" spray-painted on San Lorenzo Facade in Seville

Case information
Incident date
Country
Spain
Place
Seville
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Perpetrator / Motive Indicators
  • Political
  • Private
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Vandalism (all)
  • Vandalism of Church
Place of Incident
  • Church
Bias Indicators
  • Comments/Written Statements/Gestures/Graffiti
  • Lack of Other Motive
  • Significance of Property/Structure/Location to religious community
  • Victim/Witness Perception
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated

A large anarchist symbol and the word “Atheist” were spray-painted on the San Lorenzo church façade.

On November 24, 2024, the San Lorenzo parish church in Seville was vandalised with a large anarchist symbol and the word “Ateo” (“Atheist”) spray-painted on the wall facing Calle Eslava, adjacent to the Dulce Nombre chapel. The act is part of a recurring pattern of graffiti targeting religious buildings in the city. In response, the Sevilla City Council has intensified efforts to combat such vandalism, including creating a dedicated police unit and increasing fines under a new municipal ordinance.

Sources