Friday 18 October marks the 35th week of mass demonstrations involving millions of people in cities across Algeria. It follows a week of even larger marches, by students, workers and the general population for democracy, against repression of young people in the protests, against corruption and that an illegitimate parliament is now attempting to debate laws such as the Hydrocarbon Bill.
On the 22 February 2019, Algerians launched one of the most impressive social movements for democracy the world has seen – and one which is largely unreported in the West. Upon the trigger of President Bouteflika’s decision to stand for a fifth mandate, violating the constitution, following Friday prayers, millions of Algerians took to the streets to demonstrate for democracy – breaking a wall of fear against protest.
And they have occupied that space ever since.
