Democrats Abroad Spain joined with activists in the U.S., Canada, and many countries across Europe, including France, Germany, and the U.K this Saturday, March 29th, to protest the corruption and authoritarianism of Donald Trump and his unelected co-president Elon Musk. Americans living in Spain, and local Spanish residents demonstrated in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga against Trump and MAGA Republicans, reminding the world that Americans living overseas are leading the resistance to MAGA fascism.
“Democracy is under attack, we are the people fighting back,” the crowds chanted in English and in Spanish, and “a people, united, will never be defeated.”
Participants carried signs that read “Nobody Elected Elon Musk,” “Trump is a Traitor,” “No Oligarquía!” and “Fascismo No Es Nuestro Futuro!” Several Canadians in the crowd waved Canadian flags with signs that said “Elbows Up,” and “Never 51.”
Málaga Committee Chair Carey Ramos said of the rally in that city, “We filled the plaza with US citizens from as far away as Córdoba and Granada, plus citizens of Spain and many other countries. Everyone there could feel the love for our community and the strong determination to defend US democracy!”
“It was great to see such a huge turnout of American citizens and their supporters of all ages and many nationalities,” said Democrats Abroad member Annie Graul who attended the rally in Barcelona. “People here are angry at the heedless destruction being done by the Trump regime, Musk and DOGE. They’re afraid for their own economic future as well as voting rights, the health and safety of their friends and family back home, and the vast global impact of the rash decisions raining down from the White House. We will continue to stand firm and fight back against authoritarianism and oligarchy.”
International media took notice of the rallies, with The Daily Guardian posting clips on their YouTube channel. Local Spanish media covered the events as well with write ups and local TV news coverage. As massive anti-fascist protests sweep across Europe and Asia, Americans are doing their part in this critical moment, and showing the world we stand with them against Trump and the authoritarian dictators he idolizes.
“You don’t know how warm it is in the boat, until you're paddling in the water,” Spain Committee Treasurer Mark Nabong told a crowd in Barcelona, reflecting on the unprecedented threats to democracy Americans are facing.
“We don’t know how good liberal democracy is until we don’t have it. If you don’t know how to swim you know how scary it is to be in the water?” Nabong continued. “Thanks to the work that our grandparents put in…our great grandparents put in, we’ve never had to be in the water before in the United States. This is the first time we’ve had to tread water. It’s the first time we’ve had to swim.”
Americans in Spain are stepping up and saying no to fascism in the United States. They, along with all Democrats Abroad around the world are leading the resistance, proving that even an ocean away, democracy is worth fighting for.
“The greatest tools of tyranny are apathy and despair,” Nabong told the Barcelona crowd. “The most important thing we can do is to know that we can do something. We don’t have to fix everything at once. We don’t have to remove Trump at once…all you have to do is contribute. All you have to do is do your part.”
Are you interested in getting involved and fighting back too? Check out Democrats Abroad Resists! for call scripts, resistance group activities, and more.
