Thousands of people fill Plaza del Pilar with Spanish flags: “Ceuta is not for sale”

Plaza del Pilar was packed this Wednesday as Zaragoza turned out in massive numbers for the rally in support of Ceuta. Around 32,500 people participated in the demonstration, which extended beyond the plaza itself and filled its access roads, amidst a large police presence and a constant stream of Spanish flags . From just before 8:00 p.m., a steady stream of attendees flowed down Calle Alfonso, arriving from various points in the city center.

“Ceuta is not for sale, it must be defended,” “A united Spain will never be defeated,” and “I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish” were some of the chants that echoed during a demonstration that also included slogans such as “Ceuta and Melilla, national territory,” “Long live Spain, long live Ceuta,” and calls for the expulsion of immigrants who have entered the country irregularly. Insults and slogans against the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez , were also heard , especially before the official speeches.

The mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca , was greeted with applause before taking the floor and even had to ask for calm when some attendees began hurling insults at Sánchez. During her speech, chants of “I am Spanish, Spanish, Spanish” were heard again, and a tribute was paid to the Ceutans living in Zaragoza , which was met with prolonged applause. Chueca also addressed the president of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, before the reading of the manifesto, which contained one of the central messages of the afternoon: “Ceuta, you are and always will be Spain.”

Among the thousands of attendees was Esperanza, a resident of Zaragoza, who came accompanied by her husband. “We are all Spaniards and we must all stand together ,” she explained to ARAGÓN DIGITAL regarding her reasons for being in the square. Her message to the people of Ceuta was particularly direct: “Stay strong, don’t give up.” Pepe Mora, another participant, called for more resources in light of the situation and also conveyed a message of support: “Patience, which I believe you already have, and together we will succeed.”

Following the reading of the manifesto, several Ceuta residents living in Zaragoza took the floor, accompanied by the mayor of Zaragoza, Natalia Chueca, to voice the concerns of those closely following events in their homeland. They asserted that Ceuta is “ an inalienable part of our country ” and that its Spanish identity is based on “its history, the law, and the democratic will of its citizens.” They also emphasized that what has happened at the border transcends the autonomous city itself: “When a Spanish border is put under pressure, all of Spain is put under pressure,” they stated.

Their speeches also highlighted the consequences this situation is having on the city and the need for a joint response. “Ceuta has responded, but it cannot do so alone,” they warned, while demanding more resources from the central government, extraordinary funding, and greater involvement from the European Union because “Ceuta is an external border of Europe and needs a European response.” Alongside these demands, they also wanted to send a message of coexistence, asserting that “ we reject any form of hatred, racism, or confrontation ” and maintaining that security and border protection must be compatible with respect for human rights.

The demonstration was also attended by the President of the Government of Aragon , Jorge Azcón , who, before speaking about Ceuta, paid tribute to Arturo Aliaga, who passed away this Wednesday at the age of 70. The mobilization coincided with Ceuta Day and was part of a series of events promoted by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), which Zaragoza joined after the City Council expressed its institutional support for the autonomous city throughout the day.

From early morning, the main balcony of the City Hall displayed a banner with the message “Zaragoza with Ceuta,” placed by Chueca along with the municipal spokespeople, with the exception of Zaragoza en Común. The City Hall façade and several municipal fountains were also illuminated with the colors of the Spanish flag as part of the acts of support. Neither representatives from ZeC nor the PSOE attended the rally .

PROTESTS ALSO TAKE PLACE IN HUESCA AND TERUEL

The response was repeated in the other two Aragonese capitals. In Huesca , Mayor Lorena Orduna read a manifesto of solidarity with Ceuta at 8:00 p.m., while in Teruel , the Cathedral Square, in front of the City Hall, was filled with attendees and cheers for Spain were heard before Mayor Emma Buj’s speech.

The simultaneous demonstrations held in Aragon were part of the FEMP’s call to show local government support for Ceuta. In Zaragoza, the scale of the turnout produced one of the most striking images of the day, with thousands of people filling the Plaza del Pilar and its surroundings, and a significant security presence throughout the event.