(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/121119-king-maroc-7a.photoblog600.jpg)Ali Jarekji / Reuters, fileMorocco's King Mohammed reviews Bedouin honour guards upon his arrival at the Royal Palace in Amman Oct.18.By ReutersRABAT, Morocco -- Moroccan police on Sunday broke up the first street protest against spending by King Mohammed, witnesses said.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (http://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld) They said police with truncheons ended a rally outside parliament by a few dozen Moroccans, kicking and beating protesters including Abdelhamid Amine, the head of the Moroccan Human Rights Association. The police said the demonstration was not licensed.
The activists were angry over the size of the monarchy's expenditure in the national budget as the country faces economic difficulties.
"Shame on you, you have squandered the budget," protesters chanted, addressing themselves to the government. Others carried shopping bags with holes punched through them to indicate lower spending power among average Moroccans.
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