More than 260 demonstrations ‘in support of Ceuta’ will take place across Spain on Wednesday.
The marches coincide with Ceuta Day and come just over a month after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave from Morocco.
The initiative, known as ‘Por Ceuta’, has been backed by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), which called on councils across Spain to hold gatherings outside their town halls.
FEMP president Maria Jose Garcia-Pelayo said the events should transcend political divisions and represent a ‘wave of solidarity with Ceuta’.
Most demonstrations are scheduled for 8pm, although those in Ceuta and the Canary Islands will begin at 7pm.
Malaga
Malaga is expected to host one of the largest concentrations of demonstrations in Andalucia.
In Malaga city, the council-backed gathering will take place outside the Casona del Parque at 8pm, with the stated aim of showing ‘support and solidarity with the citizens of Ceuta’.
Official events have also been announced across the province, including in Mijas, Rincon de la Victoria, Benalmadena, Archidona, Manilva, Nerja, Benahavis, Alhaurin de la Torre, Torremolinos, Antequera, Velez-Malaga, Cortes de la Frontera, Ronda, Cartama, Villanueva del Rosario and Torrox.
Citizen or association-led demonstrations have meanwhile been announced in El Burgo, Estepona and Villanueva de la Concepcion.
Other gatherings, including those listed for San Pedro de Alcantara, Archez, Jimena de Libar and Villanueva del Trabuco, were listed by organisers as unverified.
Europa Press separately reports demonstrations in a number of additional Malaga municipalities, including Marbella, Fuengirola and Coin, showing that the list of participating towns has continued to evolve.
Sevilla, Almeria and Cadiz
In Sevilla city, a gathering is planned in Plaza Nueva, while demonstrations are also expected in municipalities including Tomares, Utrera, Marchena, Paradas, Palomares del Rio, Carmona and Lora del Rio.
Almeria has particularly widespread participation, with the supplied organisers’ information saying 103 municipalities are taking part.
In the provincial capital, the gathering will be held in Plaza Vieja, with events also announced in towns including Albox, Macael, Nijar, Dalias, Olula del Rio, Huercal-Overa and Berja.
Some PSOE-run councils in Almeria have also broken with their party’s regional stance and announced their own events, including Cuevas del Almanzora, Viator and Antas.
In Cadiz city, demonstrators will gather in Plaza de San Juan de Dios, with events also planned in municipalities including Villamartin, Los Barrios, El Puerto de Santa Maria, Jerez de la Frontera, San Martin del Tesorillo and Arcos de la Frontera.
Granada and Huelva
Participation has become more politically contentious in Granada, with some left-wing administrations declining to back the FEMP initiative.
However, demonstrations or solidarity events are still expected in parts of the province. Europa Press’s latest reporting shows that the exact list has changed as councils have made their positions known.
In Huelva city, a gathering has been organised outside the town hall, with other events expected in municipalities including La Palma del Condado, Moguer and Lepe.
The demonstrations have become politically charged after the PSOE-Andalucia leadership said it would not participate in events it considered to have been ‘instrumentalised’ by the PP.
Despite that stance, several PSOE-run councils have decided to participate or organise their own acts of solidarity.
Meanwhile, Andalucia’s regional president Juanma Moreno will be in Brussels, where he is due to attend a demonstration outside the European Parliament in Luxembourg Square at midday.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
