Thousands rally outside Portugal's parliament over housing crisis and police violence
Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside parliament in Lisbon, Portugal's capital, to protest the housing crisis and police conduct during the clearing of protest camps. The president has urged dialogue, while police maintain their actions were proportionate.
Thousands of people gathered outside the national parliament in Lisbon, Portugal's capital, on Tuesday evening to protest against the housing crisis and alleged police violence against activists. The rally followed police operations to clear protest camps in Lisbon and Porto, and it has put the question of housing affordability in the country at the centre of public debate.
Participants sang “É a nossa morada” (“This is where we live”) and chanted against fascism. Keys, cardboard houses and red carnations were on display outside the building, while banners demanded the right to housing and condemned the treatment of activists. Singer Marisa Liz joined the gathering.
Disputed camp clearances
During the clearances, officers used batons and made dozens of arrests. Activists say 60 people were injured, whereas police report seven minor injuries.
Portugal's president, António José Seguro, criticised the violence and called for dialogue, adding that he would wait for the results of investigations. Police, for their part, have defended their conduct as proportionate.
Demands on the government
The demonstrators want the government to drop plans to make evictions easier and to lift rent caps on new rental agreements.
