A family who moved from the USA to the popular Spanish city of Barcelona have spoken glowingly about the joys of reduced gun violence and a better healthcare system
A family of three who moved from the United States to Spain because of their dislike of President Donald Trump have been blown away by their experiences in their new home.
Benjamin Gorman, a former schoolteacher turned author, his wife Chrystal, and their daughter Franke, moved 5,000 miles across the Atlantic to live in the popular Spanish city of Barcelona.
Benjamin said that he originally considered the move after he received “very scary” death threats following his decision to sign a pledge to teach American history accurately.
When he received backlash for this, he asked a friend of his from the FBI whether he could report the death threats if Trump were to win a second term, to which his friend said no.
He claimed: “He told me, ‘You would basically be calling the Proud Boys for help.’ So I knew that, if Trump won, I would have to get out.”
After debating over which country to move to, the family eventually decided on Spain, in part because Benjamin speaks fluent Spanish and the family knew Barcelona well. Following their move, they have spoken glowingly about their decision and the benefits of living in Europe compared to the USA.
Among the benefits are the improved healthcare system, and dramatically reduced danger of gun violence. Benjamin explained: “The healthcare system is so much better that when we explain the American system to professionals here, they are gobsmacked by how ridiculous it sounds.
“Similarly, not having the constant threat of gun violence improves culture in so many ways. The way the police interact with people here is so positive. They’re constantly de-escalating situations and working to protect people’s dignity.”
Whilst they are glad not to have to worry about gun violence or an incredibly expensive healthcare system, the family admitted there are some parts of home they miss dearly, most notably their family and friends.
They also miss some sweet treats from home. Benjamin said: “We’ve found a handful of specific products we can’t get our hands on here in Spain.
“For example, we have chocolate M&M’s and peanut M&M’s here, but no peanut butter M&M’s, which are absolutely the best kind.”
Benjamin and his family aren’t the first Americans to leave their homeland since the return of Trump to the White House, with others also fleeing to Canada or other parts of Europe.
This includes Robert Apgar-Taylor who moved with his husband Robert Taylor to Canada. Speaking to CBC, he described the moment they stepped over the border.
He told the broadcaster: “We took a picture at the border. It was winter. We wore our plaid shirts and hats, and showed our immigration papers with the moving truck behind us. We were so excited.”