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Rabat – Several Moroccan cities witnessed protests this Sunday, as many in the country continue to oppose the government’s decision to introduce compulsory vaccination passeports for access to public spaces.
Hundreds of people demonstrated in the cities of Casablanca and Rabat, denouncing the mandate, amid intense security measures.
In Rabat, the capital, security forces prevented the protests near the parliament, during which dozens of demonstrators raised banners and chanted anti-vaccine pass slogans.
A security official addressed the demonstrators, saying “your voice is heard, but the state of emergency does not allow your demonstration to continue,” according to video clips shared on social media platforms.
The protesters demanded that the government reverse its decision and consider the cases of citizens who are unable to get vaccinated.
In the city of Fez, dozens of demonstrators gathered in the center of the city, with no prevention from authorities.
Protests also occurred in Marrakesh, gathering dozens of citizens.
Social media networks transmitted video clips of similar protest demonstrations in the city of Agadir, which were halted by authorities.
Dozens also demonstrated in Meknes, saying they would not bow to compulsory vaccination.
Prior to this weekend’s coordinated wave of demonstrations across Morocco, many Moroccans had already signed a petition denouncing the compulsory vaccine pass almost immediately after the government announced the decision.
More than 30,000 jurists and politicians in the country signed an additional online petition calling for the decision to be rescinded.
Owners and managers of Cafes, restaurants, and movie theaters have also issued statements denouncing the vaccine mandate, notably saying that they will not check vaccination passes for customers.
A leftist political party, the Unified Socialist Party, is taking the mandate to the Moroccan constitutional court, arguing the mandate is an infringement of Moroccans’ constitutional freedoms.
Similar protests have been witnessed around the world, with French, German, and Dutch citizens all protesting mandatory vaccination.
