The key facts

  • PSP police cleared the camps in Lisbon and Porto on the morning of October 20; 55 people were detained and 228 structures seized.
  • Protesters report about 30 injured and detained; police promise to bring detainees before a court.
  • The movement announced a new action on Rossio at 19:00 and stated it will not stop until all participants have housing.

Clearing of camps in Lisbon and Porto

On Tuesday morning, at around 06:00 local time, police vans arrived at Rossio square and D. João I square in Lisbon, as well as at D. João I square in Porto, where participants of protests for the right to housing had been camped for several days. Police gave demonstrators five to ten minutes to end the action, stating that the gatherings were no longer lawful.

Clashes and detentions in Lisbon

In the capital, protesters resisted by forming a human chain; objects were thrown at Public Security Police (PSP) officers, and police used batons. A PSP special unit pushed all participants out of Rossio square. According to police, 55 people were detained and 228 tent structures were seized. Protesters, as quoted by Euronews, speak of about 30 injured and detained.

Reaction of the protesters

Some demonstrators moved to Figueira square, where they demanded the return of seized belongings and the release of the detainees. More than a hundred people sang 'Grândola, Vila Morena' — the anthem of the Revolution of 25 April 1974, which restored democracy in Portugal — and threatened to occupy the house of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The People's Assembly voted unanimously to remain on Figueira square until the whereabouts of the detainees become known.

Position of the lawyer and the police

A lawyer for the protesters, in a conversation with the newspaper Observador, said that participants, in his view, may remain at the sites of the actions that have been ongoing since last Saturday, but stressed that he cannot speak on behalf of everyone. According to him, all that remains is to 'wait' for information about the condition of the detainees and the return of belongings. Police stated that the detainees have been taken to police facilities and will be presented to the competent judicial authority as soon as possible.

Peaceful clearing in Porto

In Porto, the operation went more calmly: there were no clashes, and dozens of people left the camp voluntarily, although they initially resisted as police approached. Protesters declared their desire to return to D. João I square, in response to which police began installing metal barriers blocking access to the square. Cleanup work is underway at both squares.

New action

Despite the morning clearing, a new protest is scheduled for Tuesday at 19:00 local time on Rossio square in Lisbon. The organizer of the People's Assembly, quoted by Observador, emphasized the need to bring more people to this demonstration and to actions in the coming days, and stated that the movement will not slow down until all its participants have housing.