Protesters took to the streets of Morocco’s major cities, including in the capital Rabat and Casablanca, on Thursday afternoon as part of youth-led anti-government demonstrations.

The demonstrations, organized by a leaderless movement dominated by internet-savvy youth, have taken the country by surprise and emerged as some of Morocco’s biggest in years. By midweek, they appeared to be spreading to new locations despite a lack of permits from authorities.

Those taking part in the so-called Gen Z protests decry what they see as widespread corruption.

“We are here to say that the authorities and the government must address this issue responsibly and with seriousness. We no longer have time to waste allowing public services to remain weak or giving priority to the private sector over the public good. We see the state spending money, but it is private interests that profit from it”, said a protester who didn’t want to give his name.

Through chants and posters, they have contrasted the flow of billions in investment toward preparation for the 2030 World Cup, while many schools and hospitals lack funds and remain in a dire state.

But chants were fewer as violence broke out in several cities on Wednesday evening, following days of mass arrests in more than a dozen cities, particularly in places where jobs are scarce and social services lacking.

The chaos came despite warnings from authorities, political parties in government and the opposition and the organizers themselves. In a statement published on Discord, the Gen Z 212 protest movement earlier on Wednesday implored protesters to remain peaceful and blasted “repressive security approaches.”

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights has said that more than 1,000 people have been apprehended, including many whose arrests were shown on video by local media and some who were detained by plainclothes officers during live television interviews.

Morocco’s government said Thursday it would address grievances fueling youth-led protests, a day after security forces killed three people during unrest.