Tens of thousands protest across Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

Tens of thousands of people marched across Spain on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in widespread protests over the ongoing migrant crisis in the North African enclave of Ceuta, demanding stronger border controls and criticizing the government's handling of the situation. The demonstrations, which coincided with the local Ceuta Day holiday, came more than a month after a mass border crossing from Morocco that authorities say involved at least 70,000 people. In Ceuta itself, an estimated 20,000 residents took to the streets. Waving Spanish and city flags, they chanted slogans such as "Ceuta is not for sale" and "Expel the invaders." The city's regional leader, Juan Jesús Vivas, thanked supporters from across the country, stating that they were telling Ceuta "it will be defended." Protesters called for a return to normality in a city struggling with the aftermath of the surge, where estimates of remaining migrants range from 5,000 to over 10,000. The largest gathering was in Madrid, where national authorities reported approximately 50,000 demonstrators. The crowd criticized Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and his government.