Moroccan Embassy protest features big flag, bigger hopes for self-determination

In front of the embassy and conspicuously not stepping on Moroccan territory

Last Friday Mikael Simble (of the Norwegian Support Committee for the Western Sahara) and I protested the occupation of the Western Sahara at Morocco's embassy in Washington. The protest went well, and I think we educated the embassy's neighbors about Moroccan policy towards its southern neighbor.

Mikael brought a bunch of leaflets about the Western Sahara that we put in the windshields of cars parked around the embassy. They had a map of the Maghreb showing where Western Sahara is, as well as a short history of the Polisario struggle. We even got a few on cars with diplomat license plates.

After that, we set up across from the embassy with the SADR flag and a sign Mikael brought that said Free Western Sahara. Apparently, there's a torrid affair behind how that sign was made, but whatever it is, the young lady involved was an excellent sign maker.

We got the attention of several passerby who asked what we were protesting. At one point, two girls whose car was stuck in the snow asked for our help. I think we impressed on them that Western Sahara fans are not only socially-conscious but surprisingly muscled.

We also had an improvised chant for people going into the embassy (1, 2, 3, 4, Viva Polisario!). The 5,6,7,8 part hasn't been decided yet, but suggestions are welcome. All in all, it was a successful day, and a satisfying celebration of Western Saharan independence day.