Moroccan police detain demonstrators during youth-led protests in Rabat, as the Gen-Z212 movement vows more rallies demanding healthcare and education reforms. Image: Chosunbiz.
(The Post News)– Moroccan GenZ212 protest movement, led by youth, said Sunday that it will continue to organize countrywide protests after dozens of its members were arrested by police during countrywide marches.
On Saturday, protests erupted in at least 11 cities, such as Rabat, Casablanca, and Marrakesh, organized by GenZ212 and Morocco Youth Voice. Riot police and plainclothes security forces moved in aggressively, making arrests among the protesters. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) reported more than 100 arrests in Rabat alone, with dozens more across the country.
We want hospitals, schools, and work, not stadiums,” protested Youssef, a 27-year-old demonstrator in Casablanca, citing the high expenditure by Morocco on World Cup 2030 infrastructure and this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Protesters loudly shouted, “Stadiums here, but what about hospitals?
Public Anger Over Healthcare and Education
The demonstrations have been driven by growing anger at decaying public services. Anger was further stoked last month when eight women lost their lives in childbirth in one of Morocco’s public hospitals, one of the country’s desperate shortages of doctors and hospitals. Morocco has only 7.7 medical staff per 10,000 citizens, far below the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 25, the organization has stated.
Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch defended his administration, citing the construction of hospitals and reforms. Amine Tahraoui, the health minister, dismissed some regional health directors following the Agadir incident. However, protesters claim these actions are insufficient.
Moroccan Youth-Led Movement Inspired by Arab Spring
Unlike previous protests being organized by unions or parties, GenZ212 is organized mostly on Discord and TikTok, favorite destinations of Moroccan youth. Leaders distanced themselves from anti-monarchy messages circulating on Discord, labeling them an attempt to discredit the movement.
The protests have been likened to Morocco’s February 20 Movement of the Arab Spring by analysts. GenZ212 insists, however, that its campaign is merely social reform and has nothing to do with political opposition. The crowds prove young Moroccans are ready to mobilize for dignity and responsibility,” the movement declared. “We call on citizens to join us in future peaceful demonstrations for a fairer society.”
More than half of Morocco’s population is under 30 years old, and the weekend’s protests reflect increasing generations of discontent and may signal the beginning of a new era of prolonged youth activism.
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