83 people, including police officers and protesters were injured yesterday in clashes at Al Hoceima during a march that was banned by the local authorities beforehand, Al Hoceima's prefecture said in a statement sent to Yabiladi. It also states that hundreds of people «attempted to organize a march despite its ban». «In accordance with the decision taken by Al Hoceima's prefecture on the 17th of July 2017 regarding the prohibition of a protest march scheduled for the 20th of July, a crowd of 300 to 400 people attempted to gather despite the ban», said the local authorities in a statement. The city's prefecture stated that «some hooded individuals» tried to provoke police forces. 72 policemen were wounded during the clashes while 11 protesters were injured because of teargas and were «taken to the hospital to receive necessary care». The 83 individuals wounded during the clashes «all left the hospital, except two police officers who were severely injured». The statement did not mention the number of wounded civilians who were unable to go to the hospital. The local authorities' press release also reported that «two cars belonging to the police forces were vandalized and burnt by some demonstrators in Ajdir». A number of activists and journalists were arrested by the police on Thursday. On Thursday afternoon, police fired teargas at protesters to disperse the march. Demonstrators tried to gather in Mohammed VI square to call for the release of the Hirak detainees, states Yabiladi's on-the-scene reporter.
