Rabat February 19, 2017- Photos of the Al-Hociema martyrs

Yelling "Baraka Benkirane" or enough of the leader of the Parliament and main party, Party of Justice and Democracy (PJD) in the Parliament, Abdelilah Benkirane, was today's "protest du jour," in the capital of Morocco, Rabat, and during a torrential downpour. There were perhaps more security forces than protestors in evidence, lining the streets, crowding under eaves, and crowded in misty windowed black and white vans and vehicles along the pre-announced protest path and connecting streets. Plain clothes officers prominent due to their walkie-talkies in hand were also along the path. The protest began at Bab al-Had, a main transportation thoroughfare and plaza, near the old city, then traveled down Avenue Hassan II and up Mohammed V to stop in front of the Parliament. Broadcast media crews, like Al-Hurra, lined the path. Persons not marked with press badges were also filming or photographing the event.Signs carried shows photographs of purported security forces' aggression during previous movements (harikat) and were in support of February 20, the five year anniversary of which is tomorrow. February 20 is the opposition group popularly believed to have provoked the 2011 Constitutional Reference, including Art 25 for free speech, in Morocco during its Arab Spring. there was a heavy presence of pro-Berber (Amazigh) minority rights objects, including the rainbow flag with the Tamazight letter signifying Berber identity, the letter "yaz." The protest took place in the late morning and was still going on before the noon day prayer.

NB: to response to a question, "yes" the photograph is mine and I hold all rights. Credit Colette Apelian, thank you.

https://www.facebook.com/colette.apelian/posts/10210470502457579 are more images and short films at YouTube