Around 5,000 people gathered this Wednesday in the Constitution Square of Antequera to show their solidarity with Ceuta. The event included the reading of a manifesto by two Ceutans residing in the city.
The Constitution Square of Antequera and its surroundings, next to the Civil Guard barracks and the Puerta de Estepa, hosted the gathering “Together for Ceuta from Antequera” at 20:00 this Wednesday. Attendance was estimated between 4,500 and 5,000 people, according to municipal sources.
The event began with a greeting from the mayor, Manolo Barón, and continued with the reading of a manifesto led by Yolanda Roda and Ana Sevillano, two women born in Ceuta and residing in Antequera. Many attendees carried flags of Spain and Ceuta, as well as t-shirts and banners of support.
The manifesto conveyed a message of unity and closeness with Ceuta, regardless of political differences. “Today we are here for Ceuta,” the text stated, specifying that the support was expressed “not from confrontation” nor “from party names,” but from solidarity.
“You are not alone,” was the direct message to the people of Ceuta during the reading.
Roda recalled the situation experienced in Ceuta on 30 and 31 July and acknowledged the response of the citizens, public services, and the Security Forces. The text demanded that the people of Ceuta have the same rights and protections as any Spanish citizen, as it is a Spanish border and an external border of the European Union.
The second part, led by Sevillano, had a personal and emotional tone. “Ceuta is in our hearts. And today Antequera embraces you,” she stated, symbolically linking both cities: “Ceuta is our origin and Antequera is our present.” The manifesto concluded with “Ceuta is Spain” and cheers for Ceuta, Antequera, and Spain.
The event concluded with the performance of the National Anthem, while the large flag of Spain waved in the square.
The mayor, Manolo Barón, expressed that he was “moved and overwhelmed by the response of the people of Antequera.” He thanked the collaboration of Roda, Sevillano, and Maripaz, the three Ceutans who participated in the organisation, and highlighted the “civic and democratic behaviour” of the attendees.
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