Right-wing show of force in Spain: "Sanchez the traitor is a servant of Morocco. To prison!"
A month after the mass storming of Ceuta, thousands of migrants remain in the Spanish enclave, and public anger toward Pedro Sanchez's left-wing government is intensifying. On Wednesday, massive protests took place across Spain; in Madrid, crowds chanted "Sanchez to prison!", while in Valencia, protesters burned his photos, demanding action against what they call a "treacherous government."
Tens of thousands demonstrated on Wednesday in cities across Spain in solidarity with Ceuta, the North African enclave where more than 70,000 migrants infiltrated over a month ago. The crisis remains unresolved, with thousands still living on the streets and beaches of the city. The demonstrations, organized by Ceuta residents and joined by tens of thousands across mainland Spain, served as a show of force by the right against Pedro Sanchez’s left-wing government, which is accused of abandoning Ceuta’s security and encouraging the crisis through lenient immigration policies.
In Madrid, where an estimated 50,000 people demonstrated, protesters waved Spanish flags and chanted, "Sanchez is a son of a bitch!" and "Sanchez to prison!" One protester held a sign depicting the Prime Minister as a fugitive: "Wanted for treason." While the Madrid demonstration was largely peaceful, clashes occurred at the end, resulting in four police injuries after officers deployed tear gas to disperse masked protesters.
The protests were organized by the Federation of Local Authorities (FEMP), controlled by the center-right People's Party (PP), with support from the far-right Vox party. According to organizers, actions took place in over 200 Spanish cities. In Valencia, approximately 25,000 people protested, while 10,000 gathered in Badalona and 20,000 in Ceuta itself. In Valencia, some protesters burned images of Sanchez and the King of Morocco, chanting, "Spain is Christian, not Muslim."
The demonstrations coincided with "Ceuta Day," a local holiday that was overshadowed by the ongoing crisis. "Ceuta is not for sale, Ceuta will not be defeated," protesters shouted. One sign read: "SOS. Europe, save us from our treacherous government!" David Hernandez, a 45-year-old teacher at the Ceuta rally, stated: "The government's response was insufficient, late, and negligent. We cannot be second-class citizens, and our border must not be abandoned."
