Carol Grayson
On February 20th it is the turn of the Moroccan people to demonstrate for constitutional change. People are inspired once again through social media sites including a Facebook call for protest led by Rachid Antid and two friends who began the Freedom and Democracy Now Movement mainly consisting of young people. There are said to be around 19,000 followers who will test a regime said to be more liberal than neighbouring countries. Government spokesman Khalid Naciri did not appear too concerned about the marches on Thursday remarking that Morocco “had for a longer time been engaged in an irreversible process towards democracy and widening public liberties.”
Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. King Mohammed VI (47) is both the secular leader and “commander of the faithful” deemed to be a direct descendant of Prophet Mohammed and is said to have extensive powers which include dissolving parliament and deploying the military. Protestors calling for change state they are calling for constitutional reforms that would reduce the King’s control and make the judicial system more independent. Pro-monarchy supporters will be marching in opposition to show their loyalty to the monarchy.
A video “I am Moroccan” lasting just over 2 minutes appeared on YouTube in advance of the protest and featured a number of young adults each stating their wishes as follows:-
“I am Moroccan; I am going out on February the 20th because I want a Morocco that belongs to all of us. No to hate and Yes to equality.”
“I am Moroccan; I am going out on February 20th to be able to get a job without paying a bribe first.”
“I am Moroccan; I am going out on February 20th because I would like free public education for all and not just for the privileged.”
“I am Moroccan; I am going out on February 20th for the sick to be able to go to public hospitals, with no out of pocket cost, and without having to “know” someone.”
“I am Moroccan; and I am going out on February 20th to support workers’ rights and against abuse in the workplace.”
“I am Moroccan; and I am going out on February 20th because I want freedom and peace in my country.”
“I am Moroccan; I am going out on February 20th because I do not want people living in shanty towns.”
“I am Moroccan; and I am going out on February 20th against police brutality.”
“I am Moroccan; and going out on February 20th against corruption in my country.”
“I am Moroccan; and going out on 20th February against the thieves who destroyed the country.”
“I am Moroccan; I am also going out on February 20th because we want a new democratic constitution.”
The last person featured was a mature lady who had the following to say:
“I am Moroccan; and I am going out on February 20th. I am going to protest and maybe even more. The high food prices are killing me. Every time I tried to protest against the high prices I was abused by the authorities. I don’t understand why I am afraid and abused in my own country. I was in a peaceful protest and was beaten and harassed by the police. I am abused by food prices, the lack of life’s essentials, and abused by the authorities all at the same time. That’s too much…”
There were a number of abusive comments left on the site arguing that the video was garbage, Morocco did have free education and was a peaceful country. The insults were explained away by one contributor who stated, “there is a great part of the population that is really uneducated and knows nothing about the world we live in, and if one does not know that he is oppressed he will most likely find excuses to defend the regime that has ruled our beloved homeland since 1956 and as you can see most of them can only speak with insult, that’s an upbringing issue. I hope Morocco can be free someday.”
Reuters reported that there were already disputes brewing prior to the Sunday demonstration between Rachid Antid and his followers and leftists, plus banned group Islamist Justice and Charity which is believed to be the country’s biggest opposition group. It is Sufi inspired and consisting of around 200,000 members, mostly students http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/banned-islamists-say-time-for-change-in-morocco/ Rachid remains supportive of the monarchy while Islamist justice and Charity raise questions over the King’s eligibility for the title “commander of the Faithful” and have said that the country will be subjected to protests with “autocracy” swept away unless the country pursues deep democratic reforms.
The Freedom and Democracy Now Movement is withdrawing from Sunday’s protest. According to Ocnus.net the organisation has demonstrated concerns in public before, “there have already been smaller protests in Morocco including an anti-government rally in Tangier, northern Morocco, on 30th January, which was met by police violence. Also in the capital Rabat, there have been minor solidarity manifestations in front of the Egyptian Embassy. An earlier smaller protest by human rights activists in Casablanca on 6th January went along peacefully, but with leaders later being detained.”
In an act emulating Muhammad Bouazizi (Tunisia), protestor Issan Nadir set himself alight outside the education ministry in the city of Rabat. The 27 year old volunteer teacher was demanding a paid job and spent a week recovering in hospital after firefighters doused the flames. Mourad Raho (26) from Benguerir died of his injuries in a similar self immolation. There have been reports of an additional 5 attempts in recent weeks.
A protest had already begun a day in advance of the nationwide protests planned for Sunday with a police station attacked in Tangiers though it was unknown whether this was part of the wider discontent. Al Jazeera reported that premises linked to French firms were also targeted in a dispute over the local utility firm’s management, one resident claimed truncheons were used to disperse the crowd http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011219163145111944.html
Carol Grayson is Director Coordination Asia Despatch and a UK independent researcher/campaigner on global health/human rights awarded ESRC Michael Young Prize 2009
