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When Saving Lives Becomes a Crime: Performances of Solidarity with Migrants Along Europe’s Southern Border

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The Courage for Civil Repair

Part of the book series: Cultural Sociology ((CULTSOC))

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Abstract

This chapter explores and compares public narratives on migrant-rights advocates operating along Europe’s southern border. Its empirical investigation demonstrates how the acts of selected activists have been a potential trigger for the process of solidarity formation. Their stories transcend national boundaries, generating public and media interest across Europe and the globe. The chapter shows how the narrative on Moroccan journalist and human right advocate Chakib Al Khayari stands out from the others. Al Khayari has performed civil solidarity more successfully than the others because he managed to embody deep ideals of justice, humanity, and inclusion, as well as foreground scripts based on authenticity and courage, before an international public. He has done so in such a way that he set in motion a process of deep civil repair, changing migration laws and politics within the Moroccan public sphere.

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Correspondence to María Luengo .

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Luengo, M., Msaed, K. (2020). When Saving Lives Becomes a Crime: Performances of Solidarity with Migrants Along Europe’s Southern Border. In: Tognato, C., Jaworsky, B., Alexander, J. (eds) The Courage for Civil Repair. Cultural Sociology. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44590-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44590-4_5

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-44589-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-44590-4

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