Thousands protest in Ceuta over Madrid’s handling of migration crisis

Thousands of people marched through Ceuta, waving Spanish flags and blowing whistles as they protested what they described as Madrid’s failure to manage the migration crisis.

The demonstration coincided with Ceuta’s annual day and drew residents into the streets of the Spanish North African enclave, whose population is about 80,000. Protesters chanted, “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.” One banner appealed to Europe to “save us from our treacherous government,” while some demonstrators called for Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to resign.

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Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.

The protest followed a deadly surge in migration at the border in July, when at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco. Nearly five weeks later, more than 10,000 migrants, including unaccompanied minors, remained in improvised camps or scattered across Ceuta’s streets and beaches.

The migrants’ presence has prompted almost daily protests by local residents. Demonstrators have demanded that migrants return to their countries of origin or be transferred to other parts of Spain. Similar protests took place in Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and other Spanish cities.

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SOS. Europe, save us from our treacherous government.