In Morocco, police opened fire on a crowd of anti-government protesters in a small southern town Wednesday, killing two people. The deadly crackdown came as protesters took to the streets of at least 11 cities for a fifth consecutive night demanding better schools, healthcare and job opportunities. They’re also criticizing the Moroccan government’s multibillion-dollar investment in infrastructure as co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. This is a protester who spoke briefly with reporters in Rabat on Sunday.
Protester: “We want this country to be in a better situation and for people to be treated as human beings and not as it is happening now with a two-tiered country. We are always asked the same thing: What are your demands? You all know our demands. We all have the same demands, the same goal: a dignified life.”
As the protester spoke, police moved in and dragged several demonstrators away. At least 400 people have been arrested so far in the “Gen Z” protests across Morocco, which are modeled after similar uprisings in Kenya and Nepal that were organized on social media sites.