The residents of Ceuta have once again demonstrated their demands for solutions regarding the migration crisis. One of the slogans shouted during a march, which featured banners displaying the Spanish flag and the slogan 'SOS Invaded Ceuta,' was 'A resident of Ceuta never gives up.' This demonstration was followed by another act carried out by motorcyclists in the city.
Among Spanish, Ceuta, and European flags, the protesters covered about two kilometers along the coast of Ceuta, culminating at the Tarajal border crossing. There, they gathered under police surveillance and chanted slogans directed at both the central government and the Kingdom of Morocco.
David, one of the Ceuta residents who participated in the march on Sunday to the border, expressed feelings of abandonment, sadness, helplessness, desolation, and fear due to the uncertainty about the arrival of another 80,000 migrants.
In contrast to this description, Noelia Alcázar, spokesperson for the Citizen Forum, assured Efe that citizens also feel 'very supported by other compatriots' and that 'everything is contributing to a great unity among people.' She warned that the government and its institutional power are temporary and that 'they do not have much time left' to defeat the movement.
Additionally, Colonel in reserve Carlos Pavón appealed to army commanders to conduct military mobilizations 'with the dignity and honor they deserve,' mentioning that 'these poor boys are tired of being in this situation, working without resources, without being able to defend themselves.'
The subsequent and noisy motorcycle march, which started on Alcalde Sánchez Prados central avenue and ended at the border, included a tribute to the Legion, a military force closely associated with the autonomous city.
These demonstrations continue a previous event organized by the Ceuta Citizen Forum on Saturday in front of the Government Delegation headquarters in Plaza de Los Reyes, where a protest camp is also maintained to draw attention to the situation in beaches such as Trampolín.
On the beaches of Trampolín and Benítez, further from the center, thousands of migrants remain housed in various improvised shelters and tents along the waterfront. According to the latest data provided by the Government Delegation, 1,700 spots have been made available in shelters at the Port of Ceuta, which hosts the newest and largest facility. This capacity was added to existing facilities in Loma Margarita (1,300 spots), Loma Colmenar (1,200 spots), 500 extra spots at CETI (Temporary Immigrant Detention Center), and 320 spots in La Hípica.
