Several thousand people gathered this Sunday in Rabat, to demand that King Mohammed VI transfer some of its powers to an elected government and take firm action against corruption. A crowd that included Islamists, leftists carrying Che Guevara banners and the apolitical took over the streets.
The origin of this day of action, which the organizers are calling the “February 20 Movement for Change” which to date has more than 20000 supporters.
Under persistent rain, protesters waved Tunisian and Egyptian flags in reference to the revolutions that ousted both President Zine Ben Ali and Hosni Mubarak .
Organizers claim attendance of more than 5000. Authorities put the number at 3000.
The police presence remained discreet. Uniformed officers kept their distance from the initial gathering place, in the district of Bab el Ahad, but plainclothes police mingled with the demonstrators, notebook in hand.
“The people reject a constitution made for slaves!” , “Down with autocracy!” chanted the protesters who also ask for the sacking of Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi. No direct attacks against the King, however, were found in the slogans or the banners of the demonstrators.
“This is a peaceful demonstration to demand constitutional reforms, for the dignity of the people against corruption and waste of public funds” , said Mustafa Mouchtati , of the Baraka Group (Enough), which participated in organizing this gathering.
On Saturday, a movement of young Moroccans had indicated that it was withdrawing from the movement because of disagreements with the Islamists and the Left. The young activists from prohibited Islamic groups were also associated with the movement, as well as members of opposition groups and Berber activists.
Protests were also planned in other large cities of the kingdom, including Marrakesh, Morocco’s premier tourist destination. According to a senior official, a few hundred people attended a rally in Casablanca, the economic capital of the kingdom, a figure which however could not be verified immediately.