Thousands of people marched through the streets of Casablanca, Morocco's economic capital, on Sunday to denounce social inequalities, demand the release of "political detainees" and appeal for "real democracy". The demonstration was organized by the Moroccan Social Front (FSM), a recently created collective of four left parties, trade union organizations like the Democratic Confederation of Labor (CDT) and associations, such as the AMDH which focuses on human rights .
It was not possible to obtain mobilization figures either from the organizers or from the authorities. "This is the first demonstration by the Moroccan Social Front to say stop to anti-social and anti-democratic policies, stop the deterioration of human rights, stop the policies that have led to the deterioration of purchasing power," said Ali Boutwala, one of the members of the national office of the WSF.
Unemployment, cost of living…
The demonstrators protested forcefully against unemployment, the high cost of living, the failings of public services while demanding "the release of all political detainees", starting with those of Hirak. This social movement which agitated the north of the country in 2016-2017 died out after a wave of arrests which led to heavy judicial convictions for the hard core of the dispute. "Long live the people," chanted the crowd by taking up a protest title of rap that has become very popular after the conviction of one of its authors for "insulting the police" in late 2019.
Protesters who waved large banners and waved red flags then dispersed calmly. The date of this march deliberately coincides with the anniversary of the February 20 Movement, a protest movement that stirred Morocco in 2011 during the Arab Spring. The King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, promised several months ago a "new development system" in response to the deep inequalities that focus on social discontent. Regarding freedoms, the government believes it has successfully completed a democratic transition after 2011 thanks to the reform of the Constitution and rejects all criticism of human rights defenders.
Cinema
"Adam": In Morocco, pastry brings together single women by the sensuality of the gesture
World
Morocco: The country in shock after the gang rape of a teenage girl for twenty-five days
- Morocco
- Demonstration
- Poverty
- World