The Ceuta that clings to coexistence in the face of radicalization: "They say they are patriots and it's a lie"

CeutaWhen Malika introduces herself, she says she is Muslim, Spanish, the daughter of a soldier, and a lifelong Ceutian. She walks accompanied by her grandson along the Compañía del Mar avenue, in front of the port where this weekend about 60 boats from the Peninsula have docked to show their solidarity with Ceuta, one month after the massive arrival of thousands of people from Morocco. They have proclaimed themselves the "army of solidarity" and, adorned with numerous Spanish flags, have railed against the inaction of the Spanish government and called for "the expulsion of the invaders" with hundreds of city residents. Malika quickly distances herself from them. "They came for two days to the beach, to sunbathe and to eat and drink well," she complains. However, she agrees that the State has handled this crisis "terribly" and assures that they will only get out of it if they remain united in the face of growing tension and radicalization, also fueled by the far-right and their hate speech.

"Muslims and Christians will continue to defend the city so that they do not spoil the peace we have had all our lives," says Malika. The worst migratory crisis in recent years, which has claimed at least 140 lives, is pushing the city to its limits, and its residents recall that Ceuta has always been an example of coexistence and they do not want it to stop being so. For this reason, Malika warns of the danger of some of the images seen in recent days, such as when a group of protesters blocked access to a truck distributing food to people sleeping on the beach, which they then assaulted and finally set fire to the immigrants' camp. "They say they are patriots and it's a lie. A human being cannot be deprived of food," she defends. She adds that they are the patriots, those who fight for coexistence, but asks the State to resolve this situation once and for all. "It is degrading how they have us"

She's in a hurry because the supermarket is closing, but before saying goodbye she wants to make it clear that she is in favor of protesting and, in fact, believes it is necessary, "but without hitting, insulting or attacking anyone," she says with a sly tone, as if explaining something obvious. Like Malika, there are more neighbors who regret the political instrumentalization of the deadliest tragedy on the southern border since records have been kept. This is the case of Juan Antonio, who was born in Ceuta 58 years ago and has never left the city. "Spaniards and Moroccans here have always gotten along well, but everything is falling apart and it's a shame because no one wins," he explains.

He attends to ARA while a group of Moroccan children take refuge from the heat under the shade of a tree. They are wearing sportswear or swimsuits and flip-flops, and cling to the plastic bag where they keep the few possessions they still have. They have been wandering around the autonomous city for a month now and so far have no prospect of their situation changing. From time to time, they stop someone in the street. The request is always the same, they are hungry and want food. "I see them and I think of my children. They only ask for food, what are you going to do? Aren't you going to give it to them?" he wonders, Juan Antonio, who asks the administrations to get to work and speed up solutions for all these people and also for the city's residents. "I just want this to end and for us to return to normal."

"Our children don't want to go out on the street"

The same is supported by a neighbor walking with his two young children who does not want to give his name. "I am Moroccan, I am not from Ceuta, but my wife is from here and my children were born here, they are Spanish," he explains as an example of the famous coexistence that until recently was the city's flag. Although he says that the part of the citizenry that "has disappointed him" is small, this Sunday hundreds of people have bid farewell to the 60 boats with applause and shouting. Dozens of motorcyclists from Ceuta have joined the " armada of solidarity" with their vehicles and there have also been Spanish flags and anthems, and those of the Legion, and the usual shouts of "Ceuta is not sold, Ceuta is defended" or "I am Spanish."

Among these people was an elderly couple who do not want to give their name. They are lifelong neighbors and are fed up with this situation, which they assure they have never experienced before. They hold the Spanish president, Pedro Sánchez, responsible, whom they accuse of being a “shameless person” who has left them stranded this past month, in their words. "We haven't had a beach, we haven't had a fair, we haven't had anything," she laments. They have young grandchildren who in a week will have to return to school, but there are very few guarantees that this return will be safe, and they compare it to the situation of helplessness of irregular young people who are making a living in the city. "They go everywhere and we have our children locked up because they don't want to go out on the street, they are afraid," she assures before entering a community center for the elderly.