After several days of pause, Morocco’s Gen Z protesters returned to the streets Saturday for their first demonstration since King Mohammed VI addressed parliament amid weeks of unrest.

The king’s short but charged Oct. 10 speech addressed some of the grievances raised by Gen Z protesters about regional inequalities and uneven development, but did not mention the movement directly.

Protesters again gathered in front of parliament Saturday evening, some holding signs that read “The people want to bring down corruption” and “We long to feel dignity and freedom.”

In his speech, the king emphasized that major national projects and social programs should complement each other, with the shared goal of advancing the country's development and improving citizens' quality of life across all regions.

A few protesters felt the king had spoken to them indirectly, but others remained unconvinced.

Reda, a 22-year-old demonstrator, said the movement had lost no momentum during the break.

“Even though we paused for more than 10 days, we are still continuing, and we will continue until our demands are met, not just in words but in reality,” he said.

Access to jobs, education, and health care remained top priorities for many in the crowd.

One protester, Adil, said, “We hope the king and the country will listen to us with attentive ears and compassionate hearts, and provide us with our demands.”