This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Algeria's Kabylie region is bracing for the country's presidential elections, but the local Berber minority is not participating. Instead, they are using a unique symbol to express their opposition: the brick.
Protesters in the region have been using bricks to block the distribution of election material and to prevent the vote from taking place. In the city of Tizi-Ouzou, protesters have even bricked up the entrances to local government offices.
"The strike is a show of force against the election -- we want zero voting here," said Amar Benchikoune, a 38-year-old resident of Tizi-Ouzou. "We're here to reaffirm our rejection (of the vote) in a peaceful manner," added Massinissa Houfel, a 29-year-old lawyer.
The Berber minority, who make up 10 million of Algeria's 42 million population, have long been marginalized by the Arab nationalist state. They have been protesting against the upcoming vote, which they see as illegitimate.
"It's our way of showing our total rejection of the vote," said Ouerdia, a 55-year-old retiree. "There is no chance of even a sole voter placing a ballot here," added Boudjemaa Lakhdari, a 36-year-old vendor.
The presidential vote is set to take place on Thursday, but the opposition is determined to thwart it. Protesters have been marching in the streets, carrying bricks and bags of cement, and have even daubed walls with calls for a general strike.
"We don't want to repeat the tragedies of the past," said Houfel, referring to the bloody riots of the 2001 "Black Spring". "There will be no vote, authorities must first release prisoners of conscience," he added.
