Ceuta Protests Against Migrants as Solidarity Demonstrations Spread Across Spain

Several hundred residents gathered outside the seat of government in Ceuta on Sept. 1, protesting the presence of thousands of migrants who remained in the North African Spanish enclave after a mass border crossing from Morocco in late July.

The protest took place beside a monument to those killed in the 19th-century Spanish-Moroccan war. Demonstrators laid flowers and lit candles. The crisis has left between 5,000 and 8,000 migrants in Ceuta, according to different estimates, in a city with about 85,000 residents.

The Spanish government says its priority is to return the migrants to Morocco as soon as possible, while respecting international law. It has increased security and directed additional funding to Ceuta, including support for unaccompanied minors. Government coordinator Ángel Víctor Torres said an extra 63 million euros would be sent to the city, on top of 25 million euros previously allocated. Nearly 3,000 unaccompanied children and young people are in Ceuta, according to the latest government figures.

“

We will be there.

The migration crisis has also intensified political tensions in Spain. The opposition accused the government of failing to address the situation, particularly in August, when Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez spent his holiday in the Canary Islands.

For Sept. 2, Ceuta’s public holiday, the Federation of Spanish Municipalities and Provinces called for demonstrations at 8 p.m. outside local government offices under the slogan “For Ceuta.” More than 260 municipalities and provinces had pledged to participate, according to El Economista. People’s Party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo wrote on X, “We will be there.” Vox urged its supporters to join events under the slogan “No to the invasion. Defend Ceuta. Defend Spain.” Anti-racist demonstrations were also planned that day, with organizers opposing the use of the crisis for such messaging.

“

No to the invasion. Defend Ceuta. Defend Spain.