**Protests Erupt in Ceuta as Anti-Immigration Sentiment Grows**
Ceuta, Spain – Tensions escalated in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta on Sunday as anti-immigration protesters attacked a vehicle carrying local politician Julia Ferreras and two activists. The incident occurred amid rising frustrations among residents regarding the ongoing migrant crisis, which has seen thousands of individuals cross from Morocco into the enclave.
The protesters, who believed the car was transporting members of a pro-migrant activist group, surrounded the vehicle at the port, striking it, kicking it, and pelting it with eggs. Eyewitness footage captured the scene as the crowd smashed the car's windows while police attempted to control the situation. Reports indicate that riot police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the angry demonstrators.
The vehicle was not carrying the expected activists from the Pamplona-based Negu Gorriak/Derecho a Techo (Right to a Roof) group, who had planned to deliver humanitarian aid to migrants and protest against alleged violence directed at them by authorities. Instead, it was occupied by Ferreras, Gaza Flotilla activist and lawyer Rafael Borrego, and UN human-rights lawyer Sofía Cánovas. Borrego later clarified that the protesters had mistakenly identified him as one of the anticipated activists.
Protesters labeled the Pamplona group as "radicals" and "pro-ETA," referencing the now-dissolved Basque separatist organization known for its violent campaign for independence. This characterization had reportedly circulated in WhatsApp groups prior to the demonstration, fueling the anger of the crowd.
The unrest comes in the wake of a significant migration crisis in Ceuta, where over 72,000 people crossed from Morocco in late July. While many migrants were returned, a considerable number remain in the enclave, often living in makeshift camps along the beaches. In response to the situation, local authorities began relocating these individuals to temporary shelters, employing crowd control measures that included the use of rubber bullets and batons.
Earlier on the same day as the attack, more than 1,000 residents marched toward the Moroccan border, voicing their concerns over the government's handling of the migration crisis and demanding stricter border controls. The protests reflect a growing sentiment among local communities who feel overwhelmed by the influx of migrants.
In the aftermath of the attack on Ferreras' vehicle, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the violence, stating that Spain could not "remain indifferent to the normalization of hate" and emphasizing that "violence is never the way." Ceuta’s regional government also expressed its condemnation of the incident, while acknowledging the residents' feelings of "tiredness, concern, indignation, and even frustration." They affirmed the right of residents to protest and demand that their voices be heard regarding the ongoing crisis.
As of Monday afternoon, it remains unclear whether the humanitarian group from Pamplona ever reached Ceuta, with reports indicating they had not arrived as anticipated. The situation in Ceuta continues to develop, as local authorities and residents grapple with the implications of the ongoing migration challenges and the rising tensions surrounding them.