CASABLANCA, Morocco, Sept 29, (AP): Youth-led demonstrators clashed with police and blocked the highway over the weekend in some of Morocco ’s largest anti-government protests in years, denouncing what they called the government’s misplaced priorities. Hundreds of young Moroccans took to the streets of at least 11 cities across the North African nation, denouncing corruption and blasting the government for pouring money into international sporting events while neglecting health and education.

They drew a direct link between the country’s struggling health care system and its investments in the lead-up to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, shouting slogans including, "Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” Morocco is building at least three new stadiums and renovating or expanding at least half a dozen others, preparing to co-host the event. It will also host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year. Police in plainclothes and riot gear disrupted protests in several cities, including Rabat and Marrakech, and arrested demonstrators, including in Casablanca, an Associated Press reporter witnessed.

Plainclothes police officers were seen arresting protesters as they gave interviews to the press, videos published by local outlets show. Police on the ground and the Justice Ministry did not respond to AP’s questions about the arrests or the number of demonstrators. Since at least a decade ago, protests in Morocco have often centered on regional inequities and the government’s priorities in Rabat.

This weekend’s nationwide rallies coalesced around popular anger seen earlier this year in isolated incidents throughout Morocco, including in areas still reeling from the deadly 2023 earthquake. Unrest swelled most recently after eight women died giving birth in a public hospital in Agadir, a large coastal city 300 miles (483 kilometers) south of Rabat.

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said that more than 120 people were arrested over the weekend and transferred to police stations, adding that the arrests "confirm the crackdown on free voices and restriction of the right to freedom of expression.” Unlike past protests driven by unions or political parties, these protests were publicized largely on social media platforms such as TikTok and Discord, popular among gamers and teenagers, by a leaderless movement.