Hundreds of residents gathered in the Plaza de los Reyes in Ceuta this weekend to voice their frustration over the recent arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco. The protest, organized via social media, served as a platform for citizens to demand more stringent border controls and to criticize the Spanish government’s management of the ongoing crisis.
The atmosphere in the square grew tense with the arrival of several far-right figures, including Vito Quiles, Alvise Pérez of the Se Acabó La Fiesta movement, and representatives from groups such as Núcleo Nacional. Their presence triggered a backlash from many in the crowd, as well as from participants in a parallel counterdemonstration. Critics accused these figures of attempting to exploit the migration crisis for political gain and warned that their involvement was only escalating tensions.
In a show of solidarity for coexistence and a rejection of xenophobic rhetoric, many local residents—including a significant number of individuals of Moroccan origin—held a counterprotest in the same plaza. While the two factions exchanged heated chants and accusations for several minutes, officials reported that no serious incidents occurred.
The National Police maintained a heavy presence throughout the event, implementing a large security operation to keep the opposing groups separated. Officers cordoned off the square to prevent direct confrontation. As the situation unfolded, Alvise Pérez and members of the Núcleo Nacional were escorted by police to the port, while Vito Quiles departed the scene amid boos from the crowd. Ultimately, despite the tense atmosphere, both the protest and the counterprotest gradually dispersed without the need for a larger police intervention.
