Algeria: August 20, 2001

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Some 100,000 Berbers peacefully demonstrated in an eastern valley. Because of the remote location, police stood back. The continued Berber unrest is as much about poor economic conditions and corruption throughout the nation as it is Berber dislike for unfair treatment by the majority Arab speakers. The entire population is largely of Berber origin, and everyone is upset at the government's inability to get the economy going. The violence of Islamic rebels is seen as less of a problem, as the poor economic conditions hit nearly everyone while the violence injures far fewer people.