Protest Against New Migrant Shelter in Ceuta

A group of residents and workers in Ceuta held a human chain protest on Tuesday against a new migrant shelter being set up by the Spanish government near the port of the exclave.

In recent days, the Spanish authorities have accelerated efforts to open this new shelter at the west pier of the Port of Ceuta. This center is part of several “temporary” facilities established to accommodate illegal migrants still present in Ceuta after the influx in late July.

According to various Spanish news sources, the government plans to house around 1,000 migrants at this new facility, primarily targeting those currently living in makeshift tents on Benitéz and Trampolín beaches.

This initiative has sparked strong opposition from local residents and dock workers, who view it as a threat to their safety and the security of the port area.

Reports suggest that the transfer of migrants to the new shelter is “imminent,” with preparations nearly complete for the tents, prompting the protest on Tuesday evening.

During the demonstration, participants voiced familiar slogans such as “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended,” along with “Ceuta, united, will never be defeated,” which have echoed across Spain since the initial wave of migration.

One protester, identified as Miguel Ángel Oncina, expressed frustration about the situation in Ceuta, criticizing the government for its handling of the crisis. Oncina argued that the proposed temporary shelter violates existing port laws and poses significant security risks given its proximity to fuel deposits and a school.

Oncina assured that the community would continue to protest as frequently as possible, emphasizing that the government’s actions were unacceptable.

“We are hardworking citizens of Ceuta, and we want to reclaim the freedom we’re losing,” he stated, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the crowd. He elaborated on concerns about safety, highlighting fears of encounters with criminals.

An unnamed woman who also took part in the protest shared her worries about how the migrant shelter would impact her safety and that of her colleagues. “This is a danger to all of us because we have to go around with pepper spray in hand,” she noted, expressing frustration over the prevailing sense of fear in the area.

The protest on Tuesday adds to a series of peaceful demonstrations organized by Ceuta residents, many of whom are staunchly opposed to the presence of remaining migrants and are calling for solutions to the declining conditions in their once-peaceful city.