Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid today, in a massive show of support for Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. The protests follow weeks of crisis in the region following a border surge from neighboring Morocco.
More than 70,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during the surge and local authorities estimate that more than 10,000 migrants remain in makeshift camps scattered across the enclave. The residents are dealing with lawlessness, chaos and criminal activity. Protesters in Madrid wave Spanish flags, called for stronger border control and criticize Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez over his handling of the crisis. The demonstrations are ongoing as serious clashes and fights between migrants and local residents continue in Ceuta.
CEUTA, Spain, Sept 2 (Reuters) – Residents of Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the handling by Madrid of a migration crisis caused by a deadly border surge in July when at least 72,000 people crossed from Morocco.
Thousands of people marched through the streets of the city of about 80,000 residents in a protest that coincided with the annual Ceuta Day. Waving Spanish flags and blowing whistles, they chanted: “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.”
One placard read: “SOS. Europe, save us from our traitor government” while some demanded that authorities should “expel the invaders” and others called for Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to resign as demonstrations also took place in other cities across Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao. (read more)