Woman, 35, detained at Ceuta protest in Tarragona: “We will not tolerate hate speech”
More than a thousand people gathered at the Plaça de la Font in Tarragona to show support for Ceuta and demand the resignation of Pedro Sánchez. The protest ended with palpable tension between a group of anti-racists and Spanish nationalists, which led to one arrest for public disorder.
A night that brings to light the social fracture in the city following the migration crisis and the discourses that fuel hatred.
The protest for Ceuta in Tarragona: a meeting point charged with tension
How was the gathering at Plaça de la Font experienced?
The gathering brought together more than a thousand people at eight in the evening with Spanish and Ceuta flags. Without formal speeches, the demonstrators shouted slogans against Pedro Sánchez and demanded his resignation for the handling of the migration crisis. They also attacked mayor Rubén Viñuales, showing clear rejection of the current local and central government.
Who participated and what did they represent?
Among the attendees were prominent members of the PP and Vox, such as Alejandro Fernández, president of the Popular Party in Catalonia, and Sergio Macián, deputy spokesperson of Vox in the Parliament. The mobilization filled more than half of the square with banners and shouts of support for Ceuta, reinforcing the political presence of these parties in Tarragona.
The confrontation with the anti-racists: what exactly happened?
What was the anti-racists' reaction?
Around seven in the evening, about 150 anti-racists gathered on Carrer del Cos de Bou to denounce hate and racist discourses. When they tried to reach the Plaça de la Font, the Mossos d'Esquadra stopped them with a police cordon, preventing them from contacting the pro-Ceuta demonstrators.
Why was a 35-year-old woman arrested?
At approximately nine, the tension exploded when about fifteen participants in the pro-Ceuta gathering verbally confronted the antifascists. In the context of this confrontation, a woman from the anti-racists was arrested for alleged public disorder after a scuffle with some of the demonstrators opposed to her group.
Voices rejecting hatred and racism in Tarragona
What demands did the anti-racists express?
The spokeswoman of the Unified Socialist Youths (UJS), Ingrid, insisted on the need to combat racist discourses that fragment the working class. She defended building a "defensive wall against the far-right, reaction, and fascism," highlighting the importance of unity against hatred.
What is the perspective of the Ateneu Llibertari de Tarragona?
Emma Baptista, a member of the organization, emphasized that their presence was essential to defend themselves against fascism and to support the racialized and migrant community of Tarragona and Ceuta. She stressed that racist violence is not a distant problem, but a reality that must be fought on the streets.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Wednesday, September 2, 8:00 PM |
| Location | Plaça de la Font and Carrer del Cos de Bou, Tarragona |
| Attendees | More than 1,000 pro-Ceuta; 150 anti-racists |
| People arrested | 1 woman, 35 years old, for public disorder |
| Parties present | PP, Vox |
| Main slogans | "Sánchez Resignation", "Ceuta is not alone", "Racists out of our neighborhoods" |
Source of the article: Mar Rovira / Catalan News Agency
