The city of Baza, represented by nearly 3,000 people of various ages, demonstrated its support for Ceuta yesterday, Wednesday, September 2nd. The packed Main Square responded to the call from the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), joined by the Baza City Council, in defense of coexistence, security, and respect in the Ceuta city.
The mayor of Baza, Pedro J. Ramos, flanked by council members from his government team, the president and vice-president of the Association of Entrepreneurs of the Altiplano of Granada, and some residents individually, coordinated the event. After listening to the anthem of Ceuta, speeches were given by a resident of Baza who has lived in Ceuta for decades, the Non-Attached Councilor in the Baza City Council, Rafael Azor, the president of the entrepreneurs, José Antonio Lucha, the territorial delegate of Education in Granada, María José Martín, and finally, the mayor of Baza.
Pedro J. Ramos read an open letter sent to all of Spain by the president of the Ceuta government, Juan Jesús Vivas. The mayor stated, “I am not here to talk about politics, I am here to talk about Spain, about Ceuta, and about us,” expressing his weariness of being divided simply for exercising the freedom to demonstrate and express opinions. Ramos displayed a copy of the Spanish Constitution, reading some articles and assuring that the objective of the gathering was to defend the country, its borders, and Ceuta's right to live with security and dignity.
The mayor commented that Baza and Ceuta have much in common, alluding to the coexistence of multiple cultures and faiths in both cities with respect and adherence to rules, and declared himself proud to be Spanish and to defend it. The gathering concluded with the national anthem.
