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Social unrest boils over in Morocco’s al-Hoceima

The protest movement, known as Hirak, focuses on a lack of infrastructure, hospitals, schools and job opportunities.

The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Al-Hoceima has become the centre of the protest movement, which calls for jobs and public investment in infrastructure. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]

By Olmo Calvo

Published On 29 Jul 201729 Jul 2017

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Last week, thousands of people took to the streets in al-Hoceima in northern Morocco to demand the release of more than 200 activists jailed during demonstrations across the country’s Rif region over the past nine months.

The unrest dates back to October when fish vendor Mouhcine Fikri died in a rubbish compactor while trying to retrieve his wares, which had been confiscated by local police. His case set off a wave of public anger over the historical marginalisation of the people of Rif.

The protest movement, known as Hirak, focuses on the lack of infrastructure, hospitals, schools and employment opportunities in the region. Authorities have responded by making arrests in an effort to suppress the protests.

The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
The image of King Mohamed VI is present in all corners of the city - in bars, shops and markets. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
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The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
A man shouts at the police during a protest on July 20. Although the government banned the demonstration, thousands of people took to the streets regardless. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Hundreds of police moved in, attempting to stop the protesters. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Throughout the day, many people were injured, including a young man who suffered a serious blow to the head and was transferred by helicopter to a hospital in Rabat. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
A day after the July 20 demonstration, Mohamed VI square in the city centre was filled with families enjoying the good weather. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
A group of young people make a fire barricade in the neighbourhood of Afazar on the outskirts of al-Hoceima. Two days after the July 20 protest, there were still clashes between locals and police in some neighbourhoods of the city. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
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The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Young people throw stones in an effort to prevent police in the neighbourhood of Afazar from entering to arrest activists. Police often come at night or very early in the morning to arrest people in their homes. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Houda Sekkaki prays at home with two of her daughters moments before leaving to catch a bus to see her husband, who was jailed in Casablanca for participating in protests. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Every Tuesday, a bus goes from al-Hoceima to Casablanca so that relatives of the people jailed can visit them. The bus takes 12 hours. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
A giant Moroccan flag flies on Carabonita beach. Al-Hoceima is a tourist town, and while the protests continue, many people enjoy the sea. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Riot police struggle with a group of women demonstrating on July 20 in the centre of al-Hoceima. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Women raise their fists, shouting at police as they call for greater social rights. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
After huge demonstrations in all neighbourhoods of the city, protests continued at night with clashes between youth and police. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]
The struggle for the social rights/PLEASE DO NOT USE
Young people in the neighbourhood of Afazar face police to stop them from entering the neighbourhood to arrest activists. [Olmo Calvo/Al Jazeera]

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