The Santa Cruz de Tenerife council will join a demonstration organised by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) on September 2, coinciding with Ceuta Day. This move aims to show solidarity with Ceuta and its residents amid a severe humanitarian and security crisis experienced over the past weeks.
The initiative calls for Spanish municipalities to gather at their town halls at 19:00 (20:00 British time) to demonstrate support for Ceuta. This comes after a significant increase in the number of people arriving in the city, which has a population of around 84,000, on July 30 and 31.
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez stated, “Santa Cruz is joining this demonstration because Ceuta cannot feel alone. We are talking about a city and its citizens who have gone through an extraordinary situation and deserve the backing of the entire state, including municipal support.”
Bermúdez added that the situation in Ceuta affects more than just the city itself. He highlighted that during past migration challenges in the Canary Islands, there was inadequate response from other regions of Spain. He called for the same solidarity for Canary Islands as that advocated for Ceuta.
He emphasised that assistance to Ceuta must also involve a firm commitment to uphold the law and safeguard the nation’s integrity. “Defending our borders and the legal framework does not conflict with the need for humanitarian aid to those in extreme vulnerability,” he said, insisting that a lawful state must address both responsibilities.
Carlos Tarife, spokesperson for the Popular Party in Santa Cruz, also expressed support for Ceuta and urged residents to participate in the demonstration. “Everyone in Santa Cruz must join this gathering to show that our fellow citizens in Ceuta are not alone in this abnormal event,” he said.
José Alberto Díaz-Estébanez from the Canary Coalition stressed that the people of the Canary Islands identify strongly with the humanitarian crisis faced by Ceuta, given their own experience of handling large numbers of arrivals. He criticised the delayed and insufficient response from the central government to the exceptional situation, insisting that the state must act consistently and proactively.
Díaz-Estébanez underscored the need for clear rules and commitments in dealing with such complex situations, particularly given the geographic challenges faced by both Ceuta and the Canary Islands. He concluded that the demonstration holds significant political weight, not only as a show of solidarity but also as a reminder that Ceuta is part of Spain and deserves guaranteed support in extraordinary circumstances.
The demonstration called by FEMP will take place on September 2 at 19:00 (20:00 British time) outside town halls across Spain that are participating. It aims to convey support from the municipal sector to the autonomous city and its citizens during this particularly challenging time.
