The Algerians demonstrated again Friday, April 23 during marches of the popular movement of Hirak, to demand the end of "
injustice and (of) oppression
" as the regime intensifies its repression in the run-up to elections legislative.
Read also: The Islamist shadow hangs over the Algerian Hirak
Several thousand people took part in the weekly march in Algiers from the popular neighborhoods of Belouizdad (ex-Belcourt) and Bab El Oued, strongholds of the protest, as well as from the main thoroughfare Didouche Mourad, AFP noted. "
Friday 114: Stop Violence, Injustice and Repression
", could one read on the signs, in reference to the 114th week of demonstrations since the birth of the pro-democracy movement on February 22, 2019. "
Violence, injustice and oppression
", c 'is "
the summary of the week,
" a septuagenarian told AFP. Protesters also demanded "
freedom for prisoners
". "
Let them fast with us!"
In this month of Ramadan, they shouted.
Sixty-six prisoners of conscience, prosecuted in connection with the Hirak and / or individual freedoms, are currently imprisoned in the country, according to the specialized site Algerian Detainees.
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The Hirakists marched without incident amid a large deployment of security forces in the center of the capital and in front of official buildings, according to AFP journalists. But no camera from news organizations was able to film the procession on Friday. The Hirak marches, which resumed at the end of February after a year of suspension due to the health crisis, are taking place in a climate of increased repression while the government wants to impose its
electoral "
road map
" - via early legislative elections on June 12 - ignoring the demands of the streets. "
There are no elections
", launched the demonstrators Friday.
For their part, the authorities continue to target political opponents, activists, journalists and Internet users, increasing the number of legal proceedings and convictions. In addition, as every Friday in Algiers, banners were deployed denouncing France and President Emmanuel Macron, accused of supporting an “
illegitimate
”
Algerian president
in the eyes of the demonstrators, as well as posters urging the boycott of French products. Gatherings also took place in Oran (north-west), Sétif (north-east) and Kabylia, in Béjaïa, Tizi Ouzou and Bouira, in particular.
Born in February 2019 from the massive rejection of a 5th term of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, helpless and reclusive, the Hirak calls for a radical change in
the
political
“
system
” in place since the country's independence in 1962.
