For the fourth Friday in a row, there was no march in Algiers. Today, and unlike the three previous Fridays where attempts to organize marches were prevented by the security services, the demonstrators made no attempt in Algiers. A first since the resumption of Hirak in Algeria on February 22.
Friday June 4. 2:30 pm Gray sky, rain droplets, gloomy weather. We decide to take a walk in the heart of the capital, just to take the temperature. Usually, that’s when thousands of people started marching through the city center.
Very quickly, we find that the city offers an austere, boring and gloomy face. Almost all of the businesses are closed. The terraces which have set up their tables on the sidewalk are deserted by customers.
From rue Didouche Mourad to rue Larbi Ben M’hidi, via Boulevard Amirouche and Place du 1er-Mai, all the streets are marked by a strong police presence.
Fluid circulation
Rue Didouche Mourad, a column of blue vans. Passers-by are very rare and car traffic is super fluid. At Cafe Eddy, one of the few establishments open at this time of day, two patrons are sipping coffee.
Algeria cinema has kept the curtain half-open. The security guard informs us that the room is under construction.
The bus stops at Place Audin are almost empty. The drivers, stationed in columns, patiently take their troubles. The “Fleur du Jour” ice cream parlor awaits customers who are desired. Zero customers at the start of the afternoon. Same observation at the Capucine (tea room and fast food). The manager tries an explanation: “People no longer walk because they are afraid of being picked up by the police. Result: more customers”.
Ghost town
The University Tunnel is also closed. Ditto for the white arts and crafts marquees and food shops near the University. A little further, at the level of the Grande-Poste, only two or three of these capitals are open. “There is no one to buy my bracelets”, complains a Senegalese craftswoman.
We walk along rue Asselah Hocine. A strange calm reigns there, apart from the hum of a helicopter in the gray sky. The arcades of Boulevard Amirouche are all occupied by swarms of law enforcement officers. Place Mauritania, the clock indicates 3:25 pm the police occupy every section of the street.
Rue Hassiba Ben Bouali, there are a few more passers-by. A few clothing stores are open. Tobacco kiosks and fast food restaurants as well.
Place du 1er-Mai under high police guard
We come out on the Place du 1er-Mai: trucks with water cannons and blue vans dissuade any demonstration. On the plot, the benches are occupied by men of all ages. A septuagenarian throws bits of bread at the pigeons.
No exception for this Friday June 4th. Since the beginning of the Hirak, all the public gardens of Algiers-center have closed their doors to walkers. This is what we observed at Square Sofia, Parc de Galland, Parc Mont-Riant and Jardin de l’Horloge florale. For the latter, it has been closed for several months, without the residents knowing the reason.
As since the beginning of the peaceful demonstrations, the portal of the Mustapha hospital (top entrance, towards the Meissonnier market) is closed on Fridays. A lady, her arms loaded with food intended for her hospitalized sister, had to go all the way around, going down to rue Hassiba Ben Bouali, to access the CHU through the lower gate. “I live right next door but I have to take quite a detour!”, She pleaded.
Algiers on this Friday afternoon contrasts strangely with the previous Fridays during which the streets were invaded by walkers. Terraces and café are strangely empty and the shops have kept their curtains drawn. The capital seems entrenched in boredom and gloom.
If no attempt to march in Algiers for the 120 th act of Hirak, peaceful marches were held in Bejaia and Tizi Ouzou.
