Rabat — The Moroccan youth movement GenZ212 declared Sunday it will continue nationwide demonstrations after police arrested dozens of protesters during Saturday’s protests in multiple cities across the country.
In a statement, the group denounced the “arbitrary arrests of several participants,” considering them an unjustified attack on a fundamental right guaranteed by law and the Constitution.
Meanwhile, they maintained their commitment to peaceful protest methods in order to call for more social and economic changes that would improve society’s basic rights.
The protests, organized by Morocco Youth Voice, were met by a heavy police crackdown, in which many were aggressively detained.
Saturday’s demonstrations took place in major cities, including Rabat and Casablanca, where police confronted multiple protesters, arresting the leaders as well as the demonstrators themselves.
GenZ212 leaders said that the turnout proved young Moroccans are down to mobilize for calling for better healthcare, education, and government in the country, insisting that these demands focus strictly on social issues rather than political opposition.
The collective addressed controversy surrounding its Discord messaging platform, where some users posted content critical of Morocco’s monarchy. GenZ212 leadership distanced itself from these messages, calling the posters “bots” trying to undermine their peaceful movement.
Many Moroccans condemned the mass arrests on social media, pointing to the constitutional right to organize peaceful street protests and sit-ins.
The youth movement draws comparisons to Morocco’s February Movement during the Arab Spring in 2010, though GenZ212 stresses its focus on social reform rather than broader political change.
The initial announcement of the protests stems from Morocco’s youth’s willingness to say no to distorted educational and health systems.
Organizers of the protests believe that it is time to stand against a situation where classrooms collapse under overcrowding, hospitals operate with outdated equipment, and youth lives wasted away.
The movement reflects growing frustration among young people who make up a significant portion of the North African country’s population.
They called on citizens to show solidarity and join future protests as part of what they describe as an expanding movement for social justice.
The demonstrations display the growing awareness among young Moroccans of their role to participate in their social environment, instead of being observers of the decline in health, education sectors, among others. Taking to the streets shows they are determined to demand accountability and dignity.
