RABAT, Morocco (AP) – Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government.
Fists raised and shouting for help, residents of the northeast town of Jerada have held a series of protests in recent weeks. Police are on alert.
The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers. The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects.
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
Government spokesman Mustapha El Khalfi promised last week the government would help Jerada’s economy.
The protests are embarrassing to Morocco just as it is loosening up its currency to open up its economy internationally, and as it tries to become an African investment powerhouse.
In this Feb. 4, 2018 photo, a coal miner descends into one of the many informal mines in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, security forces stand guard as people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. Banners in Arabic read: “(Demand) an alternative economy (instead of dangerous mining)”.Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers. The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects. (AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, security forces stand guard as people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers. The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects.(AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. Banner in Arabic reads: “Death is better than indignity.” The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers. The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects.(AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco. The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers. The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects.(AP Photo)
In this Feb. 3, 2018 photo, people take part in a demonstration demanding justice and economic solutions after the death of coal miners in the eastern town of Jerada, Morocco, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government. (AP Photo)
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