Portugal: Lisbon housing crisis sparks protest outside parliament
Demonstrators gathered outside Portugal's parliament to protest against the housing crisis and police violence during recent camp clearances. The president has called for dialogue while defending police actions.
On Tuesday evening, thousands of demonstrators gathered outside Portugal's parliament in Lisbon, protesting the housing crisis and alleged police violence. The crowd was filled with keys, cardboard houses, and red carnations. They sang "É a nossa morada" (meaning "This is where we live") and chanted against fascism, holding banners demanding housing rights and condemning the treatment of activists. Singer Marisa Liz joined the protest.
The demonstration followed police operations to clear protest camps in Lisbon and Porto, where officers used batons and made multiple arrests. Activists reported 60 people were injured, while police claimed seven minor injuries. President António José Seguro condemned the violence and called for dialogue, stating he would await the outcomes of investigations. Police, however, defended their actions as proportionate.
Demonstrators are urging the government to abandon plans to make evictions easier and to lift rent caps on new rental agreements.
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