Thousands of demonstrators gather for a rally in Algiers, Friday April 5, 2019, chanting, singing and cheering after their movement forced out longtime President Abdelaziz Bouteflika - and demanding that other top figures leave too. Crowds massed Friday in Algiers boulevards and headed toward the central post office, symbol of the movement that has upended this energy-rich North African country. (AP Photo/Toufik Doudou)
April 05, 2019 - 11:40 PM
ALGIERS, Algeria - Algeria's protesters roam the streets picking up bottles, papers and other detritus left behind, after massive pro-democracy demonstrations conclude every week,
It's a powerful symbol of the movement's peaceful, hopeful spirit.
After the protests started Feb. 22 against Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his entourage, organizers started sending messages on Facebook calling for demonstrators to stay peaceful and clean up after themselves.
Now the cleanup operation is a fundamental part of the Friday protest ritual. Individual volunteers pitch in around Algiers, along with more organized crews wearing orange vests.
Cleanup worker Abdellah Debaili says "we're happy, because people congratulate us for doing this work."
The protests forced Bouteflika from office after 20 years in power but demonstrators now want the rest of the political elite to leave too.
News from © The Associated Press, 2019