Ceuta crisis reaches mainland Spain as rallies are called across the country

Demonstrations across Spain are rallying support for Ceuta, a Spanish city located on the North African coast. The rallies, marking Ceuta's regional day on September 2, follow a migration crisis that affected the city at the end of July. The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) has called for citizens to gather outside town halls at 8pm, urging the government to act "in a proportionate way."

Several councils, including Fuengirola and Torremolinos, have already confirmed events. A citizen campaign called Por Ceuta has also organized its own concentrations, with messages like "All of Spain for Ceuta" and "Ceuta is not alone. Spain is with Ceuta." Ceuta's government and FEMP president, Juan Vivas, are attending the rallies in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Neighbourhood Associations Federation (FPAV) in Ceuta has called for a separate march, asking participants to leave political banners and bring Spanish or Ceuta flags instead. The crisis has shifted from emergency response to a longer-term plan for Ceuta, with a €180 million socioeconomic plan announced by the Spanish government. It remains to be seen whether the show of support on September 2 impacts the crisis response.