Thousands are taking part in Madrid’s second March for Dignity, backing Ceuta amid its unresolved migrant crisis and calling for a general election. Organised by Sociedad Civil Española with support from the PP and Vox, the rally set off from Plaza de Cibeles.
Vox leader Santiago Abascal attended and said migrants who arrived in Ceuta should be returned to their countries of origin, while criticising the government’s handling of the crisis. Nearly two months after tens of thousands crossed from Morocco in late July, around 8,300 migrants are housed in city facilities and more than 4,000 are estimated to remain on the streets. Morocco has accused Spain of obstructing returns; at a recent New York meeting, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita cited “obstacles” and “controversies” he said were partly fuelled by Spain’s political class and were hindering a resolution.
On Friday, police arrested three Moroccan nationals for their alleged involvement in the detention of two migrant minors, who were taken to Ceuta University Hospital for treatment. Authorities moved 63 women, either alone or with young children, to a facility at the Hípica as part of efforts to relocate people still living on the streets. Firefighters found a makeshift settlement in underground tunnels, where 30 to 50 migrants were thought to be staying. A young Moroccan man died on Friday at a camp near Trampolín beach; the cause has not been established.
