The mayor of Jerez de la Frontera and president of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), María José García-Pelayo, has urged municipalities across the country to organize support gatherings to accompany the citizen mobilization scheduled for September 2, coinciding with the Day of Ceuta.
This call has been made during the institutional visit she made this Tuesday to the autonomous city, where she went to personally convey her solidarity and support to the Ceuta people in light of the migration crisis they have been facing in recent weeks, according to the Jerez City Council in a statement.
During her stay, García-Pelayo held a meeting with the president of Ceuta, Juan Vivas, in order to learn firsthand about the situation that has arisen since July 30, and she conveyed to the Ceuta citizens "the respect, solidarity, and admiration of the people of Jerez" towards a city "deeply Spanish and proud of its uniqueness" like Ceuta.
"Today I wanted to be close, to listen and accompany at a moment when the Ceuta citizens need to feel that the rest of Spain is with them. Your problems are ours because Ceuta is not alone," she stated.
In this regard, she encouraged Spanish municipalities to join the citizen demonstration called through social networks that will take place in Ceuta on September 2 at 8:00 PM, promoting support gatherings in front of the town halls.
Regarding this call, she pointed out that it is "legitimate and understandable" for the population "to want to make their voice heard and demand answers to the situation they are experiencing," and she appealed for these expressions of support to develop "by setting an example of unity, coexistence, and peaceful defense of the interests and integrity of Ceuta." "We cannot look the other way, and municipalism must be close to people in times of need," she affirmed.
After signing the city's book of honor, María José García-Pelayo conveyed her "affection and admiration" to the Ceuta people for "the attitude, strength, and resilience they are showing in the face of the migration crisis they are suffering." Likewise, she addressed some words to the Ceuta president, whom she recognized for "the brave and decisive management in defense of the integrity of his city, its people, and its borders."
"I have come to tell the people of Ceuta that they are not alone, that they have our affection and our respect, and that their concern is also ours," said the mayor and president of the FEMP, who highlighted "the serenity, responsibility, and fortitude that the neighbors are showing in the face of a situation of enormous complexity like the one they are experiencing at this moment."
In her opinion, Ceuta has demonstrated that it is "a city committed to coexistence and solidarity" and, for that reason, "Spain has a debt of recognition with it."
Likewise, she expressed her gratitude for "the effort and dedication" of the State Security Forces and Corps, the Armed Forces, public services, and the group of professionals who have worked these weeks to assist the population and contribute to the recovery of normality.
Finally, García-Pelayo has demanded from the central Government "effective solutions" in the face of this crisis, with the aim of offering the people of Ceuta "the answers, the security, and the certainties they need," lamenting that the action of the Executive "comes too late," when "many citizens have been suffering the consequences of a critical situation for weeks."