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Edition: U.S. Article Comments (0) Slideshow Full Focus Photos of the week Our top photos from the past week. Full Article Follow Reuters Facebook Twitter RSS YouTube Read Five women brutally murdered in Mexico beach resort 23 Apr 2011 Indian spiritual guru Sai Baba dies | 12:32pm EDT Apple's iPad miss prompts cuts in forecast 11:41am EDT Misrata comes under heavy bombardment: Libya rebels | 3:32pm EDT Wal-Mart tests online grocery delivery in California 23 Apr 2011 Discussed How common is cardiac arrest in college athletes? Idaho miner trapped for nine days presumed dead 1 Apple’s iPad miss prompts cuts in forecast Watched Nissan checks cars for radiation Fri, Apr 22 2011 Tornado strikes St. Louis Sat, Apr 23 2011 More clashes at Thai-Cambodia border Sat, Apr 23 2011 Thousands of protesters demand "A New Morocco" Tweet Share this By Souhail Karam CASABLANCA, Morocco (Reuters) - Thousands took to the streets of Morocco on Sunday in peaceful demonstrations to demand sweeping reforms and an end to political detention, the third day of mass protests since they began in... Email Print Related News Protesters vow escalation as Saleh promises to quit 3:45pm EDT Twelve killed in pro-democracy protests in Syria Sat, Apr 23 2011 Almost 90 dead in Syria's bloodiest day of unrest Fri, Apr 22 2011 Syria's Assad ends state of emergency Thu, Apr 21 2011 Protest erupts in Syria's Homs despite new law Wed, Apr 20 2011 Analysis & Opinion Guest contribution-Will Pakistan go the Middle East way? Arab gas guzzling threatens global energy balance Related Topics World » 1 / 4 People gather for a protest in Casablanca April 24, 2011. Thousands took to the streets of Morocco on Sunday in peaceful demonstrations to demand sweeping reforms and an end to political detention, the third day of mass protests since they began in February. Credit: Reuters/Youssef Boudlal By Souhail Karam CASABLANCA, Morocco | Sun Apr 24, 2011 1:12pm EDT CASABLANCA, Morocco (Reuters) - Thousands took to the streets of Morocco on Sunday in peaceful demonstrations to demand sweeping reforms and an end to political detention, the third day of mass protests since they began in February. Desperate to avoid the turmoil that toppled leaders in Tunisia and Egypt, authorities have already announced some changes to placate demands that King Mohammed cede more powers and limit the monarchy's extensive business influence. Some 10,000 people joined the protest in Casablanca, the largest city in one of the West's staunchest Arab allies. Marchers in the capital Rabat also denounced corruption and torture as well as unemployment, very high among youths. Policing has been low-key for protests by the February 20 Movement, named after the date of its first march, particularly compared to the turmoil elsewhere in North Africa. "This is more about the young ones than it is about us," said Redouane Mellouk, who had brought his 8 year-old son Mohamed Amine, carrying a placard demanding "A New Morocco." "Our parents could not talk to us about political issues. They were too afraid. This must change," said Mellouk. Although levels of popular anger have risen, ratings agencies assess Morocco as the country in the region least likely to become embroiled in the type of unrest that toppled Tunisian and Egyptian regimes and led to the conflict in Libya. In Rabat, several thousand people marched through poor districts with high levels of unemployment and away from the center, where the previous monthly demonstrations have been held. There was no sign of trouble. DISAFFECTED YOUTH A 74 year-old man in Casablanca who gave his name only as Ahmed said Morocco's youths were right to protest. "Look at them. They are educated and like most young educated Moroccans, they are idle," he said. "Everything in this country is done through privileges. You need an uncle or a relative somewhere to get somewhere." Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament, but the constitution empowers the king to dissolve the legislature, impose a state of emergency and have a decisive say in government appointments. King Mohammed last month announced constitutional reforms to give up some of his powers and make the judiciary independent, but protesters want more. There is also resentment at the royal family's business interests through its holding company SNI. One of the banners waved by the Casablanca marchers depicted the King's holdings as an octopus with tentacles stretching out to subsidiary companies. "Either money or power," it said. Islamists also joined in the protests, demanding the release of all political prisoners. Authorities freed 92 political prisoners, most of whom were members of the Islamist Salafist Jihad group, earlier this month. In Rabat, the wife of Islamist Bouchta Charef, who has said he was tortured in prison while accused of terrorism, called for all Islamists to be freed. "They have made my children homeless," Zehour Dabdoubu told Reuters. "Every month I move from one house to another. I'm persecuted because people think I am the wife of a terrorist." The banned Islamist opposition group Al Adl Wal Ihsane has maintained a low profile at the February 20 demonstrations, but said it supports them. "It's excellent what's happening in Morocco. It's a quiet revolution," Nadia Yassine, daughter of the movement's founder, told Reuters by telephone. "We're moving slowly but surely." (Additional reporting by Zakia Abdennebi and Barbara Lewis in Rabat; Writing by Barbara Lewis; Editing by Matthew Tostevin) World Tweet this Share this Link this Digg this Email Reprints We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Comments (0) Be the first to comment on reuters.com. Add yours using the box above. 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