Non-violent GenZ 212 demonstrations in Morocco concerning healthcare and education turned into unrest in multiple cities, resulting in three deaths and damage to both public and private property across 23 provinces. The absence of communication or a delayed governmental reaction? Psychosociologist Mohcine Benzakour explains the reasons behind the protests turning violent.
What began as nonviolent demonstrations, organized by a young group known as GenZ 212 calling for improved healthcare and better public education, turned into confrontations with law enforcement, fires, destruction of property, and theft in certain Moroccan cities.
Although the protests held over the weekend of September 27–28 remained nonviolent, the last two nights witnessed a surge in violence. In the Inezgane–Aït Melloul region, three individuals lost their lives when gendarmes in Leqliaa fired their service weapons to defend their headquarters from an assault.
The destruction affected both public and private assets, with acts of vandalism directed at administrative, healthcare, security, and municipal facilities, along with banks and retail stores in 23 provinces and prefectures.
Crowd psychology, neglected youth
But what caused these peaceful demonstrations in certain cities to turn violent? According to Moroccan psychosociologist Mohcine Benzakour, one explanation is the government's delayed reaction. "The demands centered on health and improved education. Up until that point, everything was straightforward," he stated. However, when "these young individuals took to the streets and felt ignored," frustration began to build.
The absence of communication, nevertheless, marked a significant shift. "When authorities act without offering dialogue, individuals are forced to make their own interpretations. This opens the door for those seeking to take advantage of the circumstances for their own goals. Everything becomes possible," Benzakour stated.
This energy, he added, is what French social psychologist Gustave Le Bon once termed "crowd psychology." "A single spark can result in disastrous outcomes," Benzakour mentioned. Football riots serve as evidence of this, he explained: "Fans exiting stadiums frustrated, and before long, situations intensify. The same principle holds true here. A small incident can develop into violence, which is precisely what we witnessed in the videos."
Recent occurrences in Inzegane and other cities highlight this change. "We are no longer talking about protests, or even violence, it is crime," he stated, referring to the attempt to attack a gendarmerie station to take weapons and ammunition.
The concerning involvement of children
In response to the Interior Ministry's recent statement highlighting that 70% of participants in certain groups were minors, Benzakour referred to this as a "particularly sensitive issue." "These young individuals are merely followers, easily swayed, without sufficient maturity or discernment. Their teenage impulsiveness, along with a lack of critical thinking, leads to destructive actions, as seen when they were setting cars on fire and jumping onto them," he explained.
We need to be cautious when dealing with these young people, as it's evident they have been overlooked," he emphasized. According to him, the fault shouldn't rest entirely on families: "Civil society also shares the blame, along with the conventional youth centers that no longer fulfill their purpose. Nowadays, teenagers spend their free time glued to their phones, surrounded by uncontrolled social media content, exposed to disorder and impulsive behavior.
To the analyst, the present circumstances now "require political wisdom and experience" to prevent additional violent situations. "If demonstrations continue in this manner, violence will result in counter-violence, and this, God forbid, could escalate into instability."
According to Benzakour, responsibility has two aspects. "Responsibility is collective when it comes to not responding to protests. However, those who loot, steal, or commit vandalism and create chaos are fully accountable for their actions." Nevertheless, he emphasizes, it's still not too late: "There needs to be dialogue, reassurance, and the establishment of monitoring committees."
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