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| EuroCitizens demonstration in Madrid 23/03/19 |
Hundreds of
British citizens demonstrated in Madrid on 23 March to show their support of
the People’s Vote, bearing placards with messages such as “Can’t live without
EU by our side” and chanting slogans in English and Spanish like “¡Derechos sí,
Brexit no!” (“We want our rights, not Brexit!”).
The chaos
currently reigning in British politics is causing serious concern and stress
among British citizens in Spain, who are well aware that the implementation of
the Spanish contingency plan to deal with their situation as smoothly as
possible in the event of no deal, depends on the reciprocity of the British
government towards European citizens. The only moment of silence in a day that
was full of chanting, poetry and music (both flamenco and bagpipes), was when
Michael Harris, chair of EuroCitizens, asked the public “Who trusts the British
Government now?” No-one raised their hand.
The 314.000
legally registered British residents include workers, retired people, students
and their families, and even local councillors, who have made their homes in
Spain. Camilla Hillier-Fry, vice-chair of EuroCitizens, highlighted that the
association has maintained a continuous dialogue with the Spanish
Administration and emphasised the understanding of citizens’ plight shown by
all political parties. “We truly hope
that Spain continues to be as inclusive and welcoming as it has been until now
and that these contingency measures that give us some peace of mind will be properly
communicated to every town council and police station throughout Spain,
ensuring that all British residents are treated equally. We want to keep on
being a part of Spanish society.”
The Spanish
spokesperson for the3million, Silvia González, joined the demonstration via a
video link and shared the many concerns of European residents in the UK.
The
demonstration, held in Margaret Thatcher Square in Madrid, concluded with the
“Ode to Joy”, played by the bagpiper and accompanied by all the demonstrators.
The chair of EuroCitizens summed up people’s feelings “They can take away our
European citizenship, but we are still Europeans”.
EuroCitizens is an association created to defend the rights
of British citizens to live, work and study in the EU27. It forms part of the
coalition British in Europe and
works closely with the3million.
More photos:
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| Hamish Binns on the bagpipes, Valerie Stacey leading the singing of the European hymn |
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| British, European, Spanish - our identities |
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| Camilla Hillier-Fry thanking the Spanish government |
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| Michael Harris asks for ring-fencing of citizens' rights |
