Hundreds of people have gathered this Sunday in Ceuta in a protest against the massive entry of migrants recorded since Thursday, a call in which the fracture among the Ceutans due to the presence of Vito Quiles has become evident.
The concentration, which started at 8:30 PM in the Plaza de los Reyes, has brought together protesters with flags of Spain and banners against the migration crisis. However, the atmosphere has ended up polarized into two opposing groups. While some chanted "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch," others responded with "Vito Quiles, son of a bitch" and "out, out."
The communicator had previously encouraged his followers to attend the protest and, when he arrived at the square, he was met with shouts of "fucking fascist" and "out fascists," while another sector welcomed him with applause and cheers like "bravo" or "Vito, Vito." Minutes later, as he entered the concentration, a large group of attendees began to heckle him and he had to leave the area escorted by his bodyguard.
The clashes between supporters and critics of Quiles continued immediately after, when one group shouted "Pedro Sánchez, son of a bitch" again and another sector replied with "Vito Quiles, son of a bitch."
In the midst of that tension, a well-known neighbor in the city, Nabil, owner of the Cafetería Abaris, called for the "unity of the caballa people" in the face of this "invasion" of "creatures that are not to blame." His words were answered by another group of citizens who replied that "the creatures are us."
Despite the moments of tension, the National Police did not have to intervene directly, beyond keeping the square cordoned off, while small groups of Ceutans discussed among themselves until, gradually, the protest began to dissolve.
Along with Quiles, the far-right group Save Europe Act also made an appearance in the Plaza de los Reyes, which displayed a banner in English with the message "Sánchez has to go, Spain needs reinmigration."
Accusations of provocation and division
"Despite having different ideologies, we have to unite to fight against the problems," Estefanía, a young woman who was visibly emotional, has pointed out to Europa Press, lamenting the climate of confrontation and accusing Quiles of "appropriating" and "putting his name" on a demonstration initially driven by neighborhood associations. "He has come to provoke and divide us, and in the end, he has succeeded," she expressed with regret. "This demonstration was called a few days ago," she emphasized.
The protester acknowledged her discouragement because the communicator "has come to provoke" and a group of people "has come to defend him instead of defending our land, Ceuta." "They defended this kid who has managed to divide us, and it makes me very sad and helpless," she added.
On the other hand, Omar and Brahem, two young men from the city, criticized that "politicians" come to the autonomous city to "hang the medal" and "play the heroes" when, during four days of migration crisis, "the people of Ceuta have been left alone."
"The true ones have been here from the beginning fighting and doing everything. Muslims, Christians, atheists, Jews, or Hindus," they continued, claiming the everyday coexistence among the four religious communities —known as four cultures— and the rest of the Ceuta population.
Brahem stated that what happened in the Plaza de los Reyes does not reflect the usual reality of Ceuta because "it has always been united." In his opinion, it has been "the fault" of "the politicians" who "wanted to divide" the people of Ceuta. "I don't know what is happening today," Omar lamented.
A few meters away, another neighbor, Mencía, defended a completely opposite view: "Ceuta has always been divided, the image they sell you of the four cultures is pure propaganda, made by (the president of the city, Juan) Vivas and his political friends. The city has always been divided, and you can see it in these demonstrations."
According to her, the Muslim population —which she included herself in— "has always been seen as second class." She emphasized that the current migration crisis "of course" fuels tension and highlights "how weak coexistence is" in the city.
Perception of invasion and fear for coexistence
As an example of the diversity of opinions present in the protest and in Ceuta itself, Mario has lashed out at the group that has forced the evacuation of Quiles from the Plaza de los Reyes, claiming that "they have only lacked saying Pedro Sánchez is a good person."
He has assured that he knows "Muslims who have been charming all their lives" but considers that what is happening "now" is "a true invasion" and that "people are very fed up and very burned out." The angry reaction of some Ceutíes, he has pointed out, is not because they are "animals," but rather it is "the logical response" when "you have them under your house," referring to the migrants who have arrived by swimming from Morocco.
In the same vein, Isabel has warned that "The Muslim community of Ceuta almost doubles us," and has maintained that the four cultures "do not get along that well" and that "they" — referring to the Muslims — "are the ones in charge" in the city.
Almost an hour later, with the square practically empty, Pilar has proudly claimed that she is "Christian" and has defended that Ceuta is a "very hospitable" city.
"But people have come to provoke," she has added, referring to the protest held on Saturday in the same place by the MEP and leader of Se Acabó la Fiesta (SALF), who had to be evacuated to the port after a counter-demonstration.
According to Pilar, Ceutíes "are not violent at all" and, as in previous episodes of migration crises, they will "move forward." "12,000 have arrived, we have pushed forward. 70,000 have arrived and we have also pushed forward. More will arrive, but we will resist," she has concluded.