Moroccan Football Stars Rally Behind Youth Protests for Social Change

In a message of solidarity published on his Instagram page, Nayef Aguerd says he is following the ongoing events in Morocco. He refers to the demonstrations organized by the GenZ212 movement in several Moroccan cities last weekend. He affirms that his heart is with everything that is happening. The 29-year-old player has especially emphasized the legitimacy of the social demands of young people and citizens, particularly in the areas of health and education. Also, he has called for expressing these demands in a peaceful manner, away from any violence. He concludes his post with the motto of Morocco: "God, the homeland, the king".

His teammate Yassine Bounou, goalkeeper of Al-Hilal, also spoke on the subject. He posted an interactive image on the same social network bearing the inscription: "For our rights, for dignity, for health and education". This image had been shared previously among the players of the professional championship, such as Badr Banoun, a player of Raja de Casablanca, Aymane Hassouni, a former player of Wydad de Casablanca, and Hamza El Moussaoui, a player of Renaissance de Berkane.

At the initiative of the recently created digital group known as "GENZ212", many young people demonstrated in several Moroccan cities last Saturday and Sunday. The demands of this group mainly concern issues of education, health, employment and social justice. In the aftermath, the security forces dispersed the demonstrations. They also proceeded to arrest several demonstrators. But the arrests are far from dampening the ardor of "GENZ212". Calls continue on social networks to organize new sit-ins and marches.