Ceuta Residents Protest Against Government’s Migrant Plans

On Tuesday, hundreds of residents in Ceuta participated in a peaceful demonstration opposing the Spanish government’s intentions to house migrants in local facilities and sports centers.

The rally, sparked by local communities feeling overwhelmed by deteriorating living conditions due to an influx of migrants, quickly expanded into a larger, peaceful mobilization throughout the city. Initially intended as a localized protest, it transformed into a broader expression of frustration.

Many participants chanted slogans against socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, hurling insults and calling for the expulsion of the migrants who arrived during a significant influx in late July. It was quite a scene, really, as the emotions ran high.

Some demonstrators also called for accountability among government officials, criticizing their responses to the crisis as detrimental to the community.

Local reports highlighted that the protest began at the Fiscer military barracks, where residents were concerned about the facility being considered as a potential shelter for the migrants. Although the barracks’ name appeared in a draft decree regarding the situation in Ceuta, public broadcaster RTVE clarified that it is not part of the government’s housing plans. They did, however, announce new measures designating five sports centers and other state-owned facilities in Ceuta as possible accommodation sites for migrants.

According to Europapress, unused areas at the Fiscer Barracks are excluded from these new regulations.

As the protest continued, more residents rallied outside the barracks, leading to a larger march that made its way through the streets of Ceuta, eventually arriving at a local hotel. Some protesters believed that Spanish Territorial Policy Minister Ángel Víctor Torres was inside the hotel, even though reports indicated he had not yet entered the exclave. Recently, Torres was tasked to lead the government’s new unified task force aimed at addressing the crisis.

Videos shared from the protest outside the hotel showed demonstrators chanting, “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta fights back,” while calling out for the resignation of government officials. The atmosphere was charged, with shouts of “Invaders, expulsion” echoing in the streets. Many waved both Spanish and Ceuta flags as they expressed their strong opposition to the ongoing presence of illegal migrants in the city.

The protest continued towards Loma Colmenar, an area notably affected by migrant-related violence following the invasion. Finally, they aimed for the Sidi Embarek mosque, passing through various neighborhoods along the way, maintaining a visible and vocal stance against the government’s handling of the situation.