Migration crisis in Ceuta: Anti-migrant protesters gather in front of the Moroccan embassy in Madrid

Several hundred anti-migrant protesters gathered on Friday evening, July 31, in front of the Moroccan embassy in Madrid to denounce what they call a migratory "invasion" underway, according to them, in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, bordering the African country.

Outrage is spreading through the streets of Madrid. After some 60,000 migrants illegally entered Ceuta in recent days, according to local authorities, some residents of Madrid went to the Moroccan embassy in the city to show their discontent.

Even though the government has assured that "almost all of the migrants" have already returned to Morocco, the people of Madrid were keen to show their anger at what Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called an "attack" on their territorial integrity.

"Spain, Christian and not Muslim!"

“Christian Spain, not Muslim!” and “National Unity!” chanted the demonstrators in Madrid, many of whom were dressed entirely in black. At the front of the march, some displayed a large banner reading “Remigration,” a concept promoted by numerous far-right groups in Europe.

‼️🇪🇸🇲🇦 | AHORA — More images of the multitude of Spanish people concentrated at the Marruecos embassy in Madrid to demand that 60,000 illegal immigrants leave the city. pic.twitter.com/j0fjJuCRMP

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Others waved red and yellow Spanish flags, while voices rose to "defend Spanish identity." Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose government advocates an open approach to immigration, contrary to the stance of many other European countries, was himself the target of insults, accused by the crowd of "selling out" Spain "to Muslims" in "an out-of-control crisis."

A large police presence had been deployed around the protesters in front of the Moroccan embassy, including a helicopter and a surveillance drone in the sky.

The demonstration, which began at 8:30 p.m., dispersed peacefully an hour later.