Protesters rallied by the Delegation of the Spanish Government building in Barcelona on Monday to show their support for the Open Arms rescue ship and demand legal and safe routes for migrants.
Anna Palou, spokesperson for the Stop Mare Mortum organisation, called for the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to “step forward and demonstrate that there is another way of doing politics, a way where human rights are at the centre and with that bring with him all the remaining European states.”
Protesters were seen holding signs reading “Saving lives is not a crime” and “Legal and safe routes.”
The Open Arms rescue ship is currently waiting on international waters, close to the Italian island of Lampedusa, with more than a hundred migrants stranded on board for more than a week. Italy has denied the ship entry and no other EU member state has taken action so far.