On Wednesday, September 2, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of major Spanish cities to protest the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ceuta. They demanded solutions and blamed Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for the government’s actions.
In Madrid, officials estimated about 50,000 protesters gathered. According to the newspaper “El Pais,” to disperse the crowd, police used rubber bullets and tear gas. Large protests also took place in Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
Waving Spanish flags, demonstrators shouted: “United Ceuta will never be defeated,” “Sánchez to jail,” and “Intruders go home!” referring to the thousands of illegal migrants still in the city.
Also read: Mass protests in Spain over the Ceuta crisis: “Sánchez to jail”
As is known, at the end of July, about 72,000 people swam or climbed over the border fence into this small Spanish enclave bordering Morocco. At least 90 people died trying to reach Europe. Spain even appealed to the European Union’s external action service FRONTEX because of this.
Most migrants quickly returned or were escorted back across the border. However, according to government data, about 5,000 migrants remain in Ceuta, with local authorities indicating a higher number.
Lithuanians urged to follow Spaniards
Impressive scenes from Madrid – a crowd of tens of thousands gathered in one of the city squares – also caught the attention of Lithuanians. A half-minute video clip began circulating on social media. While some expressed anger over P. Sánchez’s passivity, others commented that Spaniards already have too many migrants in general.
Understand instantly
“Migration bomb” across Europe: how the migrant surge in Ceuta split the EU and served the Kremlin
“I’d rather die than return”: hundreds of migrants in Ceuta plead for Spain’s mercy
Sleeping on the streets, lacking food and water: Spain tries to ease the crisis in Ceuta
Mass protests in Spain over the Ceuta crisis: “Sánchez to jail”
According to one “Facebook” user, a civil uprising against migrants is happening, demanding to stop their invasion. He even urged Lithuania to follow the example of the Spaniards.
Although migrants were indeed the focus of the demonstrators’ attention, the protests were not directly against migration as such. According to the portal dw.com, the actions of P. Sánchez’s left-wing government during the Ceuta crisis were criticized. Some politicians even did not call the attempt to enter the enclave migration.
“What happened to us was not a migration crisis,” noted Ceuta regional leader Juan Jesus Vivas. “What happened was a violation of Spain’s territorial integrity.” The opposition conservative People’s Party (PP), represented by the politician, together with the far-right “Vox,” used the Ceuta crisis and turned it into a political battle aimed at overthrowing the left-wing national government in Madrid.
The organizer of the protests held on Wednesday in more than 200 cities and towns was the non-partisan Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces. However, the protests were supported by PP and “Vox,” which strongly oppose irregular migration.
Also protested against tourists
The sudden influx of migrants into Ceuta, which has about 84,000 inhabitants, severely depleted resources and angered many residents. Local officials said the Spanish central government ignored warning signs before this mass incursion.
BBC quoted police reports stating that Moroccan security forces showed “complete tolerance” during the influx, although P. Sánchez recently claimed that this country is not responsible. The report submitted by the National Police’s National Immigration and Borders Center (CENIF) to the National Court even mentions the involvement of Moroccan gendarmes in migrant crossings.
Questions remain about what caused the mass border crossing. The Prime Minister blamed human trafficking gangs and calls spread on the internet to cross the border, mentioning social media accounts linked to Russia and Israel. Morocco, in turn, denied organizing or participating in the mass border crossing.
Also read: One video was enough: explained why thousands of migrants flooded into Ceuta
In recent years, Spain has seen many protests against rising utility costs, housing and rental prices, which, among other things, were driven up by real estate speculators and growingtourist crowds, thus increasing the popularity of short-term rentals.
15min verdict: lacking context. Protests in Madrid and other Spanish cities were not against migration in general but against Prime Minister P. Sánchez’s left-wing government’s actions during the Ceuta crisis.
Publication prepared by 15min in cooperation with Meta, aiming to stop the spread of misleading news on social media. More about the program and its rules – here.
