AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:

Migration is as outdated as humanity, and local weather change compounds the strain on individuals to relocate. All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro has been reporting on the connections between local weather change, migration and the political far proper alongside a path many have traveled from Senegal to Morocco to Spain. Today, Ari studies on the primary job many individuals from sub-Saharan Africa take once they arrive in Europe.

ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: When you speak to individuals in Senegal about Spain, you typically see a dreamy look throughout their face.

MAMADOU NIANG: (Through interpreter) When you go to Europe, in case you get sick, you possibly can go to a physician.

SHAPIRO: In a Senegalese village known as Gandiol, a person named Mamadou Niang instructed us he is tried to achieve Europe thrice. Two instances he was deported. The third time his boat capsized, and among the passengers drowned. But even that has not deterred him. He nonetheless needs to go away.

NIANG: (Through interpreter) Yeah, I wish to go, so I can earn a superb dwelling and have a pleasant home.

SHAPIRO: He envisions Europe as a spot of stability and safety – someplace you possibly can earn sufficient cash to assist your family again dwelling. More than 2,000 miles to the north in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor, you possibly can see the chasm between the fantasy of life in Spain and the truth.

We’re wandering across the metropolis middle searching for manteros, the individuals who promote items off of blankets. And it’s actually laborious to search out them as a result of they’re all the time operating from police. So to have a dialog with these guys on tape is troublesome, however not almost as troublesome as dwelling that life the place you’re continually afraid that you’ll get pulled in and arrested.

Manteros are named for mantas, the blankets the place they unfold out issues to promote. Their typical stock consists of knockoff designer purses, tennis sneakers, sun shades. Everything will get unfold out on a blanket. Long strings tied to all 4 corners assist guarantee a fast getaway. So if police present up, the manteros can flip their manta right into a sack over their shoulder like Santa Claus and make a run for it.

KIFFI: Hello.

SHAPIRO: Hi, how are you?

Kiffi is a 27-year-old from Senegal. We’re solely utilizing his first identify as a result of he does not have a piece visa. He says the manteros who promote counterfeit items off blankets can earn more money, however they take a lot larger dangers. So Kiffi sells African trinkets out of just a little fanny pack.

KIFFI: (Through interpreter) These bracelets aren’t faux.

SHAPIRO: So the police cannot arrest you for promoting bracelets. But in case you have been promoting faux Dior luggage, then they may arrest you.

KIFFI: (Through interpreter) Yeah, I’m promoting African issues. There’s no model, so it is advantageous.

SHAPIRO: Kiffi left dwelling in Senegal when he was 19 years outdated and traveled by land by half a dozen international locations earlier than reaching Spain.

You haven’t seen your loved ones for eight years. You should miss them terribly.

KIFFI: (Through interpreter) Yeah. Even right this moment, I wish to return. I wish to see my mom. Eight years is so lengthy to not see my household.

SHAPIRO: I’m sorry. That’s very, very troublesome, and I’m sorry.

KIFFI: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SHAPIRO: He will not go dwelling till he has papers to reenter Spain legally. That’s purported to occur after three years – a extra open coverage than the U.S. But each time a mantero will get arrested, it may well set again the clock.

One man simply walked previous carrying – he was a mantero. He had this massive sheet full of products on his again. And as he walked by, I stated, (talking French) you are Senegalese? Over his shoulder, he shouted, oui, sure, and ran away. And I attempted to pursue him. He was not having any of it.

SERIGNE MBAYE: (Through interpreter) I had the dangerous luck of being arrested the very first day I went out to promote issues.

SHAPIRO: This is somebody who finally acquired his papers, who not has to run from police. Serigne Mbaye arrived in Spain from Senegal in 2006. In the years that he labored as a mantero, he was arrested 4 instances. Eventually, he helped manage the primary manteros collective in 2016.

Do you keep in mind the primary time you heard the phrase mantero?

MBAYE: (Through interpreter) I acquired to the principle prepare station and noticed them, and I really requested, what is that this? And they defined. And I knew it will be one thing I must do, as a result of these are the one jobs you are able to do with out papers.

SHAPIRO: Do you keep in mind the sensation if you noticed that and had that realization?

MBAYE: (Through interpreter) Yeah, I used to be so disenchanted. I assumed, is that this what I got here to this nation for? This cannot be my future. But there’s nothing else you are able to do.

And we’re all in the identical scenario. So we glance out for one another and assist one another.

SHAPIRO: Being a mantero was not Serigne Mbaye’s final future. Today, he is a political chief, an elected official, and that has mobilized anti-immigrant politicians. The day Serigne Mbaye was sworn in, Rocio Monasterio of the far-right political social gathering Vox spoke within the basic meeting denouncing manteros.

ROCIO MONASTERIO: (Speaking Spanish).

SHAPIRO: Manteros are slaves of the mafia who push small enterprise to chapter, she stated. Right-wing politicians proceed to assault him for his previous. But right this moment, Serigne Mbaye is a deputy within the Madrid Assembly. A pal of his instructed us he is just like the Malcolm X of immigration in Spain. On All Things Considered later this week, we’ll have the story of Serigne Mbaye’s journey.

RASCOE: That was NPR’s Ari Shapiro. You can hear extra of his reporting on local weather migration from Senegal to Spain on All Things Considered. Tune in in your native NPR member station or observe his staff’s journey on npr.org.

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