The right-wing activists from Nucleo Nacional (National Nucleus), a neo-nazi group, and other extreme right leaders rallied in Ceuta, Spain on Sunday, triggering a mobilization through social media of many Ceutans and Moroccans who opposed their political standpoint.
The confrontation between the right-wing activists and locals in Ceuta reveals the deep divisions over the migrant crisis as the death toll from a surge of migrants from Morocco into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta has reached 72.
More than 50,000 people crossed into Ceuta by land and sea on July 30 at one of the European Union's only two land borders with Africa, prompting alarm across the bloc. Spanish authorities say most of the 50,000 have returned to Morocco.
Alvise Perez, a far-right politician, a member of the European Parliament and the founder of the far-right 'The Party's Over' political organization, was trapped in a cafe in central Ceuta.
He has been accused of spreading racist, xenophobic and anti-Islamic views.
"They've come to propagate their hate speech in our city. They are against the Muslim citizens of Ceuta," said Kautar Mribet, a marketer.
With emotions running high, the police escort from the cafe turned into a chaotic scene, with Perez being chased through the streets as the police struggled to maintain order.
Perez's supporters said he is defending Spain, while others noted that he just came to Ceuta to stir up trouble.
Eventually he had to be escorted from the city in an armored police vehicle as the protesters cheered.
"He came here for nothing, for a photo for his political campaign and he's off again," said Gonzalo Tirado, a Ceuta resident.
"[He came with a certain political ideology] to support, to support people with everything that's happening in the city, and he's been impeded from doing that," said Lazlo Cardos, a hotel manager.
Right-wing activists rally in Spain's Ceuta, sparking standoff with locals
