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Morocco's Youth Take to Streets Over Poor Public Services and Inequality

GenZ 212 mobilizes youth to demand better public services. Protests turn violent, with arrests and injuries, as frustration boils over.

In this image there are people protesting on a road holding posters in their hands, in the...
In this image there are people protesting on a road holding posters in their hands, in the background there are buildings, trees, light poles and the sky.

Morocco's Youth Take to Streets Over Poor Public Services and Inequality

Hundreds of young Moroccans took to the streets across multiple cities, expressing their anger and frustration over poor public services and social inequality. The protests, organized by the youth group GenZ 212, were sparked by reports of eight pregnant women dying at a public storage facility in Agadir.

The demonstrations, which involved stone-throwing and burning cars, saw over 200 protesters arrested in Rabat, with most later released. A protester in Oujda was seriously injured after being hit by a security forces' car. The youth movement, using platforms like Discord, TikTok, and Instagram, has been mobilizing and coordinating protests. Prosecutors have charged 37 protesters, with trials set for 7 October.

Protesters criticized the government for prioritizing spending on stadiums over hospitals and storage facilities. Morocco's high unemployment rates, with 35.8% among youth and 19% among university graduates, have further fueled public anger and discontent.

The protests in Morocco highlight the deepening frustration among the country's youth over inadequate public services and economic struggles. The government faces growing pressure to address these issues, as the youth-led movement continues to mobilize and demand change.

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