A National Police officer intervened when protesters attacked the car carrying Julia Ferreras, a deputy for Ceuta Ya, at the port of Ceuta. Those inside said the officer saved their lives. They escaped unharmed but were visibly shaken.
Activist Rafa Borrego was inside the car and filmed protesters smashing its windows. The crowd thought it belonged to members of the Navarra-based NGO Derecho a Techo, which had come to Ceuta to document claims of migrant mistreatment by military personnel. Their presence angered local protesters, who called them "proetarras" and linked them to the Basque group Negu Gorriak.
Borrego's video shows protesters breaking glass and shouting as those trapped inside grow fearful. Julia Ferreras can be heard telling the crowd, "You're smashing up people from Ceuta, mate." The situation escalated so quickly that police had to step in.
The city of Ceuta issued a statement condemning the violence. Ministers from Spain's central government also spoke out against the attack. It came amid rising tensions in Ceuta, as more people have arrived from Morocco in recent months and unrest among residents has grown. That same day, National Police reportedly fired warning shots into the air during a protest by locals against Negu Gorriak and Derecho a Techo.
After the ordeal, Rafa Borrego posted on social media. He said, "I want to take this chance to mention the police officer who literally saved our lives." He also criticized those who claim to defend Ceuta, warning, "This is getting out of hand." His footage shows how quickly anger can turn violent.
The attack on Ferreras's car was especially violent, but it is not the only recent event raising concerns about safety in Spain. As reported earlier, Madrid has also seen a string of violent incidents, adding to a wider sense of tension and insecurity.
Ceuta's crisis runs deep. Migration and local identity feed political divides. Many locals view NGOs and activists with suspicion, and their arrival often sparks confrontation. What happened at the port shows how quickly rumors and old grievances can turn dangerous, especially when police are the last line between protest and violence.
The attack is a warning for Spanish authorities and civil society. When political fights spill into the streets and put elected officials at risk, the line between protest and lawlessness nearly disappears. Police acted quickly this time, but Ceuta's deeper problems remain. Without a clear plan to handle humanitarian and security issues, more incidents like this could happen soon.
