Thousands of supporters of Morocco's February 20 opposition movement rallied Sunday to protest constitutional changes they say fail to ease King Mohammed VI's autocratic grip on power.

At least 1,000 people marched in the capital, Rabat, while more than 8,000 took to the streets of the economic hub, Casablanca. They were met by some counter-demonstrators and security forces but no violence was reported.

Named for the day of the first pro-democracy protest in Morocco, the February 20 movement has been holding regular protests to demand a parliamentary monarchy in the North African kingdom.

The protests have led the king to initiate constitutional reforms.

But the critics say the reforms don't go far enough, leaving the king with absolute control over the military, the secular apparatus and all religious matters.