Despite the tense atmosphere, protesters and counterprotesters in Ceuta's Plaza de los Reyes gradually dispersed without the need for a larger police intervention.
The Ceuta migrant crisis spilled over this weekend into a mass protest in the exclave's Plaza de los Reyes, with hundreds of residents gathering to demand tighter border controls following the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants from Morocco last week.
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The protest, which was organised on social media, featured chants defending the autonomous city and criticism of the Spanish government's handling of the crisis.
Tensions rose at the event with the arrival of far-right activist Vito Quiles, Se Acabó La Fiesta leader Alvise Pérez, and members of far-right groups such as Núcleo Nacional.
Their presence was met with backlash from some attendees and from some taking part in a parallel counterdemonstration, who accused them of trying to capitalise on the crisis for political gain and of fuelling confrontation.
Some citizens of Ceuta, including many residents of Moroccan origin, held a counterprotest in the same square to defend coexistence in the city and to reject xenophobic rhetoric. For several minutes, both groups exchanged chants and accusations, although no serious incidents were reported.
Rising tensions and heavy police presence
In response, the National Police deployed a large security operation.
Pérez and several members of Núcleo Nacional were escorted to the port, while Quiles left the protest to boos from some of the crowd.
The square remained cordoned off as officers kept the two groups of demonstrators apart.
Despite the tense atmosphere, both the protest and the counterprotest gradually dispersed without the need for a larger police intervention.