A significant police presence was required to manage a protest march in Guardamar del Segura on Wednesday morning, as dozens of migrants, dissatisfied with their current conditions, took to the streets. Chanting “this country is not good” and briefly halting traffic, the demonstrators gathered outside the Town Hall to demand employment opportunities and improved accommodation. The impromptu demonstration drew strong reactions from local residents.
The protest, led by migrants housed in Guardamar for several months, disrupted the daily routine of the Alicante municipality. The group marched from their temporary residence at the former Maristas Brothers college to the Town Hall, expressing their frustration over living conditions and the lack of job opportunities. Witnesses reported that protesters forced vehicles to stop while shouting various slogans, much to the surprise of onlookers.
In response to the demonstration, both the local police and the Civil Guard swiftly dispatched patrol units to manage the crowd and prevent further disruption. Authorities had already intervened the previous night following an altercation at the migrants’ temporary housing complex, where tensions had escalated.
This protest is the latest in a series of incidents linked to the presence of migrants in Guardamar. In July of last year, the City Council urged the Government Delegation in the Valencian Community to take decisive action following reports of escalating violence involving some individuals from the migrant reception program at the Hotel Parque Mar.
One particularly troubling incident occurred on July 14, during celebrations for Spain’s European Championship victory. A group of recently arrived North African minors allegedly assaulted a 19-year-old local resident in a pub and harassed a group of girls. Additionally, a Guardamar local police officer was attacked while attempting an arrest.
In response to these security concerns, the central government relocated approximately 300 expatriates to the former Maristas college, situated on the N332 on the outskirts of Guardamar. However, growing dissatisfaction among the migrants has led to continued tensions, culminating in Wednesday’s protest.
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