Moroccan demonstrations

I left the house today briefly to get a baguette from the neighborhood bakery for lunch and dinner. That will be the only time I leave my apartment until tomorrow. Moroccans were scheduled to demonstrate in downtown Rabat today against the violence in Palestine, and Fulbrighters were encouraged to stay away from the area if possible. Two days ago, before the land raids began, officials were expecting 30,000 demonstrators; I haven't heard if more turned out with the new developments.

Several friends have reiterated that I stay in, and a few more folks have made sure I feel safe. I do feel safe, and really have no reason to stay in other than the million or so papers I have to read for my upcoming quals. Moroccans are very tolerant, and I've never felt endangered or even unwelcome for the color of my skin or my presumed religion or nationality. Different, here, is not bad. How wonderful is that!

And organized and peaceful demonstrations are most certainly the right of any people. I'm not clear, however, whether protests today have the potential to disrupt classes tomorrow (such things can happen in France, for example). I've seen on Facebook that several of my students are very engaged in aid efforts. Stay tuned to find out if classes actually meet tomorrow after all of this.