Police say nearly 200 people have been arrested as the North African nation is shaking by the biggest protests over the years.
Hundreds of young protesters have taken them to Moroccan streets, which have been said to be some of the nation’s largest anti-government demonstrations for many years, calling for government services and an end to corruption.
Protesters called for emergency investments in public health and education, and denounced what they view as a false national priority.
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The protest, organized by the grassroots movement called Genz 212, spread to at least 11 cities, including Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh and Agadir.
Authorities moved swiftly to contain the demonstrations, saying nearly 200 people had been arrested since Saturday, police said.
Footage shared on the Genz 212 Facebook account appears to show police charge into the crowd, seized demonstrators and shoved a young woman into the back of the van.
“Systemic violence (used) against groups of young people that were peacefully demonstrating,” Hakim Sikouk of the Moroccan Human Rights Association told AFP news agency.
“The security forces responded vigorously. We condemn these arrests and consider it unacceptable to take a security-oriented approach to the social demands of young groups.”
Opposition parties urged the government to talk to protesters who are demanding employment opportunities and improving health services.
Anger towards public services
Analysts say the protests respond to years of neglect of public services and urgent reforms in the education and health sector. Earlier this month, the deaths of eight pregnant women in a public hospital sparked widespread anger.
“Today, we came out to defend and demand my daughter’s rights,” one protester whose name has not been revealed was told in a social media video shared online.
“Our time has passed without any improvement. As you can see, the oppressive police are here today.
Many protesters have criticized the multi-billion dollar investment in football infrastructure as Morocco prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations next year and co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Protesters say this is in contrast to what is described as a public service crisis.
According to the World Health Organization, Morocco has fewer than eight doctors per 10,000 people.
Readerless and online-led
The Genz 212 movement appeared just two weeks ago, but quickly gained traction.
It operates without formal ties with leaders, political parties and unions, and instead relies on platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram, Facebook and discrepancies to mobilize supporters.
“This is either a decentralized, leaderless, fluid organization, or a network, for example,” said Mohamed Masba, director of the Moroccan Institute of Policy Analysis.
“They don’t have leaders, they don’t belong to political parties or unions. That makes it difficult for them to negotiate or jointly take away them because the authorities don’t know who they are.”
On its Facebook page, the group called “a peaceful demonstration… to express the general demands related to health, education and social justice.”
Al Jazeera contacted the Moroccan government for comment.
