Translating Nouzha Fassi Fihri's La Baroudeuse: A Case Study in ...

That issue of the newspaper was seized, and the newspaper was banned
along with the popular rejoicing that expressed the people's joy at the presentation
of the Manifesto.
For the first time since the beginning of the French Protectorate, this
document demanded "the Independence of Morocco in its national integrity,
under the rule of its legitimate king."
The news came bit by bit, sometimes corroborating and sometimes
contradicting what they had heard. Moulay Ali and Sharif went quickly to the
neighborhood mosque to find out what was happening. Many of their neighbors
were already there and each had an opinion to offer: "This news doesn't surprise
us. We expected it as soon as the authors of the Manifesto broke the taboos. Their
daring left the officials of the colonial government speechless."
"The Manifesto surprised even us with the extent of its demands. It tied
independence to territorial integrity and the return of all occupied territories to the
Motherland."
"In fact, we will not be truly independent until our dismembered country
has regained its unity. This effort is courageous. It puts us in the spirit of our
times that are dominated by the fight for political and economic autonomy."
"The age of colonialism is finished. France takes pride in defending all the
liberties adopted by democratic countries. Can she at the same time continue to
deprive our people of the right to self government?"
"The Manifesto is clear. Let's hear no more about reforms."
"Oh, oh, you think they'll pack up and go, just like that? They will open
their jaws and let go only if they are forced to!"
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