Palma protest: up to 19,000 call for Sánchez to quit

Thousands fill Plaza de Cort and nearby streets in Palma, Mallorca, on Wednesday 2 September at a rally backing Ceuta. Palma City Council puts the turnout at 19,000, while the Spanish Government Delegation in the Balearics, citing National Police information, estimates about 8,000. The protest begins at 20:00, with repeated demands for Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to resign.

The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces called the demonstrations across Spain after more than 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta at the end of July. Balearic president Marga Prohens and Palma Mayor Jaime Martínez are among those in the square, alongside officials from the Balearic Government, the Council of Mallorca and Palma City Council.

Mayor calls for border action

After the municipal band plays the Spanish anthem, Martínez reads the rally’s manifesto outside the town hall. He pledges Palma’s support for Ceuta and says the city is under exceptional pressure on its resources and public services.

The mayor calls on Spain’s government to tighten security and control at the border, provide Ceuta with sufficient resources and ensure the return, with safeguards, of all those who entered illegally. He also rejects hatred and racism, saying coexistence must be based on respect.

Chants drown out song after rally

Support for Ceuta is the main message of the gathering, but many in the crowd chant for Sánchez to go. Some use abusive language against him, while other chants include calls to expel “invaders” and the slogan: “Spain is Christian, not Muslim.”

Spanish flags and the national anthem feature prominently. A small number of people display pre-constitutional symbols, praise Franco or chant against King Felipe VI.

The protest remains peaceful for more than an hour. Just after 21:00, about 100 people are still in Plaza de Cort when Aitana’s song Superestrella begins playing from a loudspeaker on the town hall balcony. A growing group chants until the music is switched off, shouting that it is a protest, not a party.

Afterwards, Prohens says Ceuta is not alone and claims the events there were an organised attack on the border rather than a migration crisis. She calls on Spain’s government to provide answers.

Topics: Police · Protests · Migration · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com