Ceuta breaks with Sánchez and rails against immigration: "Invaders, expulsion"

CeutaThe rift between the Spanish government and Ceuta is total one month after the start of the migration crisis that still paralyzes the city. About 20,000 people, according to calculations by the National Police, flooded the streets of the city center this Wednesday afternoon, in the umpteenth protest against immigration and the executive of Pedro Sánchez, whom they accuse of abandonment and point to as the main person responsible for the blockade situation they experience day by day since the end of July. To the cry of "Invaders, expulsion", "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta defends itself" and "Ceuta is Spain", a flood of Spanish and autonomous city flags filled the streets in a mobilization called to coincide with the celebration of Ceuta Day. The attendees put their heart into it, after an atypical August in which they have not been able to celebrate the festivities or go to the beach like other years due to the unprecedented situation being experienced in the Spanish enclave, where there continue to be hundreds of migrants from Morocco who want to make the jump to Europe.

When the four young people in charge of reading the manifesto exclaimed that "Ceuta is and will always be Spain", an uproar was unleashed among the crowd gathered at the gates of the city's Autonomous Palace, where the massive demonstration ended. There was not even room for a needle. All four spoke on behalf of the four religious communities of the city –Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Hebrew–, with the desire to show that the discontent with the management is widespread throughout the city. This feeling of belonging to the Spanish state was clear from the first moment, as all the attendees without exception wore the colors of the Spanish flag in one way or another: with the flag tied around their neck or with the colors painted on their faces. After continuous days of protests, the city's residents have turned the celebration of their day into a collective vindication.

The demonstration, under the slogan "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is to be defended", one of the most common chants of recent weeks, has been called by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (with a PP majority). However, the municipal government has also had its say and the president of the city, the popular Juan Jesús Vivas, has not let the opportunity pass to enjoy a mass bath of popularity. Beforehand, however, the manifesto was read, in which the four young people insisted that the pressure generated by the arrival of thousands of immigrants tests the lack of resources and public services in the city. They also emphasized the fact that the July entry calls into question the capacity to protect the borders, guarantee security and defend the integrity of the State's territory: "The Spanish sovereignty of Ceuta is not questioned and the territorial integrity of Spain is not negotiated", they defended.

Mass bath of popularity for Vivas

According to the manifesto, what is happening in the city is not just "a migration problem" that affects only Ceuta, since, when a Spanish border is put under pressure, "all of Spain is put under pressure". They also recalled that they are the southern border of the European Union. For this reason, they have requested a firm commitment from the EU and the State to achieve a response that matches the magnitude of the problem: "Ceuta has responded, but it cannot do it alone". They consider that more human and material resources are needed, effective control of border crossings, and the return of all people who have entered the city irregularly.

After the reading of the manifesto, it was Vivas's turn, who described the day as historic and highlighted the unity of Ceuta's society after the month of "extreme difficulty" they have experienced. The people received him with applause and shouts of "president, president", which he reciprocated with messages of love for the city and for Spain, while shouts such as "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch" were also heard. "Today the countdown begins, this force is invincible," he said, alluding to a change of government at the Moncloa, and he invited all those present to continue the protest in front of the Spanish Government Delegation, where a large part of the attendees continued to demonstrate. The Spanish anthem played several times after Vivas's words and, once the protesters arrived in front of the Delegation, an orchestra received them with El novio de la muerte, the anthem of the Legion.

Despite the organizers' desire to show the unity of the people of Ceuta in this demonstration, a part of the citizenry (mostly Muslim) decided not to attend, worried about the reactionary wave that is being experienced throughout Spain and, especially, in the city for the last month. Meanwhile, hundreds of immigrants continue to live in squalor in the city in settlements and undignified conditions. Despite the euphoria and strength shown during the mobilization, one month later there is still no solution on the horizon to resolve the crisis.