Violent clashes broke out between protesters and security forces over housing in Algiers
Hudreds of families took to the streets yesterday morning in the working-class compound of Baraki, western Algiers, and closed the main road to traffic, setting barricades and set ablaze tyres to express their anger at the local authorities who counted them out of housing program.
- The clashes have caused more than 20 injuries among the riot-police elements, sources have revealed.
- “We leave in tombs… enough promises… we want descent houses” Those were parts of the slogans raised by the inhabitants of “ Diar Al Baraka” compound protesters who took to the street at dawn backed by the women’s shouting that filled the air with slogans like” We want freedom… enough oppression”, to outcry their despair and slash at the local authorities who disregarded their precarious situation that lasted more than 50 years.
- The protesters that were approached by Echourok have indicated that they have tried to find ways and means to solve their housing problems but to no avail, on account of the increase of number of the family members. Many were forced to erect makeshift houses on the roofs and sidewalks to shelter their sons and daughters.
- They have asserted that their representatives moved to the local administration early in the morning as usual in a bid to get more information about the housing program announced earlier in the media for their benefit, but they were told that this program doesn’t exist stirring their anger and forcing them to act accordingly; the protesters have warned against a more violent reaction unless the authorities fulfil their request.