Young Moroccans clash with police while protesting stadium spending and health system decline
CASABLANCA Morocco AP Youth-led demonstrators clashed with police over the weekend in various of Morocco s largest anti-government protests in years denouncing what they called the authorities s misplaced priorities Hundreds of young Moroccans took to the streets of at least cities across the North African nation denouncing corruption and blasting the establishment for pouring money into international sporting events while neglecting medical and schooling They drew a direct link between the country s struggling robustness care system and its investments in the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup shouting slogans including Stadiums are here but where are the hospitals Morocco is building at least three new stadiums and renovating or expanding at least half a dozen others preparing to co-host the event It will also host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year Police in plainclothes and riot gear disrupted protests in several cities including Rabat and Marrakech and arrested demonstrators including in Casablanca an Associated Press reporter witnessed Since at least a decade ago protests in Morocco have often centered on regional inequities and the establishment s priorities in Rabat This weekend s nationwide rallies coalesced around popular anger seen earlier this year in isolated incidents throughout Morocco including in areas still reeling from the deadly earthquake Unrest swelled the greater part in recent months after eight women died giving birth in a populace hospital in Agadir a large coastal city miles kilometers south of Rabat Leaderless movement driven by Gen Z The Moroccan Association for Human Rights announced dozens were arrested on Saturday including specific who were physically assaulted Specific were freed overnight it commented adding that the arrests confirm the crackdown on free voices and restriction of the right to freedom of expression Unlike past protests driven by unions or political parties the leaderless movement organizing the weekend protests publicized them largely on social media platforms such as TikTok and Discord popular among gamers and teenagers Two groups Gen Z and Morocco Youth Voices urged peaceful and civilized protests and responsible debate even as a great number of of their supporters voiced more militant demands There is no hope Youssef a -year-old engineer protesting in Casablanca disclosed I not only want vitality and development reforms I want a whole system overhaul I want better salaries better jobs low prices and a better life he added speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of facing arrest for attending an unauthorized protest In Morocco people born between and make up the largest share of the population and the weekend demonstrations were referred to as the Gen Z protests Morocco s youth have drawn inspiration from Nepal where youth-led protests have channeled widespread anger over the lack of opportunities corruption and nepotism Fitness sector is the focus of population anger Moroccans have been demonstrating outside hospitals in cities and rural towns to denounce the decline of inhabitants services local outlets broadcasted Representatives have denied prioritizing World Cup spending over population infrastructure saying problems facing the vitality sector were inherited Earlier this month Morocco s billionaire Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch defended what he called the regime s major accomplishments in the strength sector We managed reforms upgraded the spendings and we are in the process of building hospitals in all the country s regions Akhannouch who is also Agadir s mayor reported The Agadir hospital has been facing problems since and we are trying to resolve them After protests Moroccan Healthcare Minister Amine Tahraoui fired the hospital director as well as soundness agents from the region World Fitness Organization records from proved Morocco having only curative professionals per inhabitants and far fewer in certain regions including Agadir with per The WHO recommends per Source
