Morocco Video Feature: Is the February 20th Movement Regaining Momentum?
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 7:29Thousands march in Sidi Moumen, Casablanca on Sunday
Whilst the February 20th Movement in Morocco was never extinguished, its initial momentum was lost by last summer to fragmentation, fatigue, and expectation of elections in November. However, following Tuesday's announcement of the new Cabinet, there have been sizeable demonstrations in several cities across the country. The supposed Constitutional reforms have been greeted with cynicism by many who see little potential for genuine democratic change and economic opportunities.
A large protest in Tangier on Sunday
The weekend protests were preceded by extraordinary scenes on Wednesday in Taza. The city, which has major problems with youth unemployment, has been a major site of unrest over the past year. Regular marches and rallies have been held, such as this demonstration on 2 December held outside a local utilities agency.
On Wednesday, an organisation of unemployed university graduates called for a series of protests across Taza outside government buildings, calling for the creation of public sector jobs. Reports of what happened next are confused, but it appears that police decided to use force to suppress the demonstrations. Chaotic scenes followed.
About 20 protesters suffered injuries, including the young man pictured above, who was allegedly struck down by a police car. Rumours circulated on Thursday that a protester had died of his injuries, but this remains unconfirmed. Demonstrators set fire to at least one vehicle belonging to the security forces, possibly in retaliation for the protester who was run over (see this video). There have been no reports of injuries to police.
A striking pair of videos indicates the determination of the protesters. Police advance on a mass of demonstrators, possibly to move them out of the area. However, the marchers rush the police in large numbers and force a retreat. The second video appears to capture the moment where police drove a vehicle into a protester.
By evening, police had dispersed, but many protesters remained, with several students making speeches through a megaphone to assembled crowds. There are also reports of solidarity rallies in Casablanca and Fes.
The spirit of protest continued over the following days in Taza, with police taking a much more hands-off approach. This footage shows a buoyant march held on Friday, with obvious care taken by organisers to ensure it ran smoothly:
On Thursday there was a small but significant event which may prove to be a rallying point for for youth protest. The trial of rapper El-Haqed (Mouad L7a9ed) --- "The Defiant One" --- was postponed again. Many believe El-Haqed was arrested and imprisoned as a consequence of his lyrics critical of Moroccan society and his direct attacks on the King. Seen as a political prisoner, his music has become increasingly popular amongst the country's youth, particularly in his hometown of Casablanca.
On the same day, Mutafa Ramid, the new justice minister, said he would seek royal pardons for activists who had been jailed during the events of last year. Ramid's ability to achieve this remains to be seen, but he represents a key hope for reformists, having previously supported the February 20th Movement in public.
Still, the potential catalyst for the resumption of widespread national protest remains the economic system and the high rate of youth unemployment (said to be near 30% for those under 35), especially with more than half of Morocco's population under 25, many of whom have graduate-level education.
It was anger at this system which sustained the February 20th Movement across the past year. In Taza, as in other cities, the issue is been a simple demand for jobs. If the new government is unable to address this issue --- and address it quickly --- it could rapidly lose the hope that many had invested in it. And the broader criticisms and calls for wider-reaching democratic reform advanced by the February 20th Movement, are likely to inspire a mass audience once again.
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