2011–2012 Moroccan protests
| February 20 Moroccan Protests | |
|---|---|
| File:Morocco Protest Feb 20.jpg Protesters march during a protest in Rabat, Morocco, to demand a new constitution that would bring greater democracy in the North African kingdom, February 20, 2011 | |
| Date | 20 February 2011[1] |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 6 |
| Injuries | 128 (including 115 policemen)[2] |
The 2011 Morocco protests are a series of demonstrations across Morocco which occurred on 20 February 2011 and were influenced by other protests in the region.[3]
Origin
Moroccan authorities have approved a peaceful anti-government protest planned on the popular social networking site Facebook by several Moroccan youth movements. The protest took place on February 20 and demanded mainly constitutional reforms.[4]
Dateline
On February 20, thousands of Moroccans rallied in the capital, Rabat, to demand that King Mohammed give up some of his powers, chanting slogans like: "Down with autocracy" and "The people want to change the constitution".[5] They were heading towards parliament and police had not tried to halt them, although Moroccan Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said people should not join the march. A separate protest was also under way in Casablanca and one was planned for Marrakesh.[6] Acts of looting and major disorder were widespread in Tangier,[7][8] Marrakesh,[9][10][11] Al Hoceima,[12][13] Chefchaouen,[14] Larache,[9][15][16] Ksar-el-Kebir,[15] Fez,[17] Guelmim,[18] Tétouan,[14] and Sefrou.[19]
Thousands took to the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakech in peaceful protests demanding a new constitution, a change in government and an end to corruption. During a march on Hassan II Avenue in the capital, Rabat, demonstrators demanded a new constitution to bring more democracy to the country. They shouted slogans calling for economic opportunity, education reform, better health services, and help in coping with the rising cost of living.
The Associated Press estimated the turnout in Rabat at 4,000. Organizers put the crowd outside Parliament at 20,000.[20] The people were calling for a reduction in King Mohammed VI’s powers, better health services and reduced living costs.[21][22]
At least 37,000 people participated to the protests.[23]
No more protests were reported in Morocco since February 20.[24]
Casualties
On February 21, the interior minister of Morocco announced that five bodies had been found in Al Hoceima, within a bank that had been destroyed by protestors who set it on fire during the February 20 protests.[25] According to eye witnesses, the bodies belonged to rioters that were trying to loot the bank.[26] The government also accused "troublemakers" amongst the protesters for burning banks.[27]
On February 23, a man died of injuries he had received during the riots the city of Sefrou witnessed three days before. The man died while he was being transfered from a hospital in Sefrou to another in Fez.[26]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2052901,00.html?xid=fbshare
- ^ "قتلى بشغب أعقب مظاهرات المغرب". AlJazeera.net. 21-02-2011. Retrieved 24-02-2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ Hatem, Mohammed (February 16, 201). "Bahrain, Yemen, Libya Face Protests as Region's Unrest Spreads". businessweek.com.
- ^ Karam, Souhail (2011-02-03). "Morocco government plays down call for protests". Reuters. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
- ^ Champion, Marc. "Morocco Joins in, Defying Predictions". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ "Morocco protesters demand political change". BBC. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-20.
- ^ "تخريب مخفر شرطة ووكالة بنكية في طنجة". Hespress. 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "بلطجية بوليسية في طنجة". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ a b ""20 février": Incidents après des manifestations à Marrakech et à Larache". Aufait Maroc. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "بلطجية' مراكش يفسدون مسيرة 20 فبراير'". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "أعمال تخريب بمراكش". Lakome.com. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "تخريب يطال الحسيمة بعد انتهاء مسيرة 20 فبراير". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "التخريب بمدينة الحسيمة". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ a b "218 شخصا أمام العدالة بعد أحداث 20 فبراير". Hespress. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ a b "يد التخريب تمتد إلى العرائش والقصر الكبير". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "نهب وتخريب في العرائش". Hespress. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "عنف بمدينة فاس". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "اشتباكات بين الأمن ومتظاهرين في كلميم". Hespress. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "هدوء حذر يسود مدينة صفرو". Hespress. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Moroccans join in spreading unrest". boston.com. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Protests spread to streets of Morocco". Metro.co.uk. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Moroccans want to reign in royal powers". Euronews. 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "Le bilan des manifestations au Maroc s'élève à cinq morts et 128 blessés". Jeune Afrique. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ Abend, Lisa. "Protests in Morocco: Just Don't Call It a Revolution". TIME. Retrieved 24-02-2011.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Morocco protests: Five burned bodies found - minister". BBC News Online. 21 February 2011. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
- ^ a b "ارتفاع حصيلة أحداث 20 فبراير إلى 6 قتلى". Hespress. 2011-02-24. Retrieved 2011-02-25.
- ^ Al Jazeera. Headlines.
