Anti-racism counter-protest in Madrid's Callao square flops and draws mockery
The anti-racism counter-protest in Callao square, Madrid, drew only a handful of attendees, in stark contrast to the massive anti-immigration rally.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The failure of the anti-racism counter-protest in Callao
How many people gathered in Callao square to protest against racism? According to images shared on social media, very few. The counter-protest called in Madrid in response to the Ceuta migration crisis ended in absolute failure, as the tweets circulating describe.
The contrast in numbers
While the opposing rally, the one supporting Spanish citizens against the arrival of migrants, drew hundreds of thousands of people, the anti-racism protest barely counted a handful of attendees, described on social media as "just a few stragglers". The difference is abysmal and did not go unnoticed by analysts.
Accusations of paid attendance
Critics were quick to point out that most attendees were members of state-funded associations, secretaries and undersecretaries, and that many left the site after barely five minutes, just enough time to take a photo and finish a Starbucks coffee. Observers did not miss the irony of the scene.
The episode reflects the political polarization around the Ceuta migration crisis, where the arrival of thousands of migrants triggered a wave of protests and counter-protests. The political right and sympathetic media celebrated the failure of the anti-racist rally, while the left defended it as a symbolic act.
In the end, it seems the fight against racism does not mobilize as many people as the defense of borders. Or perhaps, as some suggest, the event was poorly organized. Either way, the photo of Callao square speaks for itself.
How many people gathered in Callao square to protest against racism? According to images shared on social media, very few. The counter-protest called in Madrid in response to the Ceuta migration crisis ended in absolute failure, as the tweets circulating describe.
The contrast in numbers
While the opposing rally, the one supporting Spanish citizens against the arrival of migrants, drew hundreds of thousands of people, the anti-racism protest barely counted a handful of attendees, described on social media as "just a few stragglers". The difference is abysmal and did not go unnoticed by analysts.
Accusations of paid attendance
Critics were quick to point out that most attendees were members of state-funded associations, secretaries and undersecretaries, and that many left the site after barely five minutes, just enough time to take a photo and finish a Starbucks coffee. Observers did not miss the irony of the scene.
The episode reflects the political polarization around the Ceuta migration crisis, where the arrival of thousands of migrants triggered a wave of protests and counter-protests. The political right and sympathetic media celebrated the failure of the anti-racist rally, while the left defended it as a symbolic act.
In the end, it seems the fight against racism does not mobilize as many people as the defense of borders. Or perhaps, as some suggest, the event was poorly organized. Either way, the photo of Callao square speaks for itself.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (12 replies).
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