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Ceuta takes to the streets to demand solutions to migration crisis Image: Javier Hernández (EL PAÍS)
🇪🇸 Spain /Culture & Society

Ceuta takes to the streets to demand solutions to migration crisis

From El País · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • About 20,000 people attended a Ceuta demonstration, according to the Government Delegation, demanding action after the mass arrival of more than 70,000 people on July 30 and 31 and the continued presence of thousands of migrants.
  • Protesters criticized the Spanish government, called for migrants to be expelled and asked authorities to defend Ceuta against Morocco; city president Juan Jesús Vivas joined the rally.

Around 20,000 people filled the streets of Ceuta on Wednesday, according to the Government Delegation, demanding an answer to a migration crisis that residents say has disrupted the city for more than a month. The demonstration took place on the day of the autonomous city, turning local frustration into a broad display of identity and belonging to Spain.

Where are the reports?

— ProtestersThe chant referred to a police report about the alleged role of Moroccan agents in the mass migrant entry.

Ceuta, with a population of 83,000, is still dealing with the consequences of the mass arrival of more than 70,000 people on July 30 and 31. Thousands of migrants remain in the city, living in or around beaches, parks and streets while they await a decision about their future. Demonstrators demanded their expulsion and called for protection from Morocco, while criticizing the central government’s handling of the situation.

United Ceuta will never be defeated.

— ProtestersA slogan heard as the march began near the Royal Walls.

The protest began at 7 p.m. near the Royal Walls, with chants including “Where are the reports?” and “United Ceuta will never be defeated.” Other slogans included “I am Spanish,” “A caballa never gives up” and “Invaders, expulsion.” Organizers, the Federation of Neighborhood Associations of Ceuta and the Siglo XXI Association, emphasized that the march was peaceful and apolitical. It covered less than a kilometer before a manifesto for Ceuta Day was read.

This force is unstoppable.

— Juan Jesús VivasThe Ceuta president thanked demonstrators for their show of unity.

City president Juan Jesús Vivas of the Popular Party joined the gathering about an hour after it began. He thanked residents for showing unity and said, “This force is unstoppable.” He also thanked people elsewhere in Spain for their support, telling the crowd, “Thank you to the Spaniards who tell us that we are not alone, who tell us that Ceuta is not for sale, it is defended.” The Spanish and Ceuta anthems followed his remarks. Banners appealed for European help with messages such as “SOS Europe Save Us” and asked, “Today Ceuta, and tomorrow?” Protesters also called for an exceptional legal solution to remove migrants and said they would take the same message to the Government Delegation.

Thank you to the Spaniards who tell us that we are not alone, who tell us that Ceuta is not for sale, it is defended.

— Juan Jesús VivasVivas thanked people across Spain for supporting the autonomous city.
About this summary

Originally published by El País in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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