Police in Morocco fire water cannons at protesting teachers

Moroccan police are firing water cannons at protesting teachers and beating people with truncheons during demonstrations around the capital Rabat. 

Several demonstrations were held Wednesday, exactly eight years after thousands took to the streets in a series of protests inspired by the Arab Spring. 

Teachers' unions held a protest outside the Education Ministry in Rabat and then tried to walk up an alley toward the nearby royal palace, prompting a crackdown.

Police officers charged protesters, beating several to the ground. Associated Press reporters saw multiple injuries as ambulances and police cars were called to the neighbourhood.

The protesters, many wearing white teachers' robes, came from around Morocco to seek salary raises and promotions and protest the limited opportunities for low-ranking teachers, who earn an average of 350 pounds (400 euros) a month.