Thousands Protest Across Spain as Ceuta Migration Crisis Enters Second Month

The migration crisis in Ceuta, Spain, has intensified political divisions, sparking protests and counterprotests on September 2. Thousands of demonstrators rallied across the country against the ongoing migrant situation in Ceuta, a small Spanish territory situated on the African coast.

Roughly 50,000 people gathered in Madrid alone on Wednesday. In Ceuta itself, residents draped Spanish and city flags over their shoulders, chanting slogans such as “Expel the invaders” and “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta must be defended.” The protests coincided with Ceuta Day, a local holiday commemorating the 15th-century Portuguese takeover of the North African city.

These demonstrations arrive a little more than a month after over 70,000 migrants and asylum seekers crossed en masse from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31. The deadly surge resulted in at least 80 fatalities. Although many arrivals have returned to Africa, thousands remain, with local and national figures differing on the exact count. The Spanish government estimates the remaining population at about 5,000 people, including 1,200 minors.

Among those stranded is 40-year-old Otman Ianaya, who swam to Ceuta with his wife and two young daughters in search of better opportunities. Explaining his journey to the news agency AFP, he stated that a lack of work in Morocco motivated him to build a future there. While some migrants sleep on Ceuta’s beaches, the Spanish government has attempted to expand emergency housing and increase funds for social services, though critics argue these measures remain inadequate.

The ongoing strain has triggered isolated violence, including street fights, the stoning of a military patrol, and reports of sexual assault. Additionally, residents have clashed with police and burned items belonging to migrants. Gema Guillen, a protester, described the situation as chaotic and unmanageable.

The July incident has also exacerbated political schisms. Juan Jesus Vivas, Ceuta’s regional leader and a member of Spain’s conservative Popular Party, labeled the crisis a violation of territorial integrity. Conversely, Angel Victor Torres, Spain’s territorial policy minister, accused the conservative and far-right opposition of exploiting the situation to attack the government. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attributed the surge to a misread court ruling and online disinformation, citing findings from Spain’s intelligence community that Russian and Israeli-linked accounts amplified negative coverage. Meanwhile, Madrid has pledged 309 million euros in aid for the city.

Amid the standoff, Halima Ahmed of the NGO Luna Blanca emphasized the vulnerability of those seeking economic opportunities or asylum from persecution, noting that while people are tired and fed up, violence remains unjustified.