Jerrada Residents Protest Poverty and Utility Costs, Threaten New Hirak Movement

22 January 2020 – byKamal · 1 min read

Two years after the popular demonstrations in the eastern city of Jerrada, the inhabitants of the coal city have taken to the streets to demonstrate against poverty, isolation and the high cost of living.

The feeling of indignation actually stems from the false promises made by political leaders regarding the cancellation of the heavy previous water and electricity bills, indicates the Hibapress site.

The inhabitants are deprived of them due to the arrears owed for a long period and the high bills that they have difficulty honoring.

The demonstrators even brandished the threat of a new Hirak in the region, if the dismissed workers of the National Promotion are not reinstated and the demands of the population are met.

In January 2018, the former mining town had been the scene of a massive popular demonstration, following the death of two brothers in a coal mine and a third person the following month.