A series of demonstrations in support of Ceuta have been announced across the Costa del Sol as the Spanish enclave continues to grapple with an unprecedented migrant crisis.
Councils and political leaders in Marbella, Mijas, Estepona and elsewhere have called on residents to gather on Wednesday, September 2 at 8pm, coinciding with Ceuta Day.
The demonstrations follow days of major protests in Ceuta itself, where thousands have taken to the streets to denounce the Spanish government’s handling of the crisis and the use of facilities in the city to accommodate migrants.
The latest Costa del Sol town to join the initiative is Estepona, where mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano has appeared in a video encouraging residents to attend a demonstration outside the town hall.
‘Ceuta, we are with you,’ the Partido Popular in Estepona said when announcing the gathering.
‘Next Wednesday, September 2, at 8pm, we will gather at the doors of Estepona Town Hall to show all our support and solidarity with our sister city of Ceuta.
‘Because when our neighbours need us, Estepona responds.’
The demonstration will take place outside Estepona Town Hall at 8pm.
Marbella joins demonstrations
It comes after Marbella mayor Angeles Muñoz announced that her council would also join the demonstrations being organised in support of Ceuta.
‘Given the situation Ceuta is experiencing, Marbella Town Hall is joining the gatherings called to raise our voices and show our support for the people of Ceuta, coinciding with Ceuta Day,’ Muñoz said.
The Marbella demonstration will take place at the Templete del Parque de la Alameda at 8pm on September 2.
An official poster published by the mayor carries the message ‘Marbella con Ceuta’ (Marbella with Ceuta), alongside the Spanish and Ceuta flags.
It urges residents to ‘come and show your support’, adding: ‘Marbella stands with Ceuta.’
Three demonstrations in Mijas
Mijas has also joined the initiative, with its town hall announcing three simultaneous gatherings across the municipality.
‘The Mijas Town Hall joins the gatherings called throughout Spain in support of the people of Ceuta and all Ceutans,’ the council said.
‘On Wednesday, September 2, at 8pm, we will show our affection and support for Ceuta.’
Residents will be able to attend demonstrations at Mijas Town Hall, the Las Lagunas mayor’s office and the La Cala mayor’s office.
Promotional material for the events carries the message ‘Ceuta is not alone’, while the council has also used the slogan ‘Ceuta is Spain’.
Thousands protest in Ceuta
The demonstrations come after the migrant crisis triggered increasingly large protests in Ceuta itself.
More than 2,000 people gathered outside the Government Delegation on Wednesday, according to local reports, following another demonstration the previous evening.
Protesters carried Spanish and Ceuta flags and chanted slogans including “Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta is defended” and “Ceuta is not a CETI”, while some called for the resignation of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the government’s representative in the city.
The Spanish government has since declared the situation in Ceuta to be one of ‘interest to national security’, establishing a single coordinating authority and crisis structure to manage the response.
