Police clear Lisbon protest camp against rents
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
Portuguese police dismantled a camp of more than 50 tents in Rossio Square, Lisbon, after a march calling for the withdrawal of a bill on rents. Hundreds of protesters were dispersed during the overnight operation, Reuters reports.
Police evacuated a camp of more than 50 tents on Rossio Square in Lisbon on Sunday morning, after thousands marched against a Portuguese bill on rents and evictions. Dozens of officers, accompanied by police dogs, arrived at about 4.30am after three warnings from commander Iuri Rodrigues, Reuters reports.
Hundreds of protesters defending the camp were dispersed with shields and baton charges. A smaller camp was also dismantled in Dom João I Square in Porto. Socialist MP Pedro Delgado Alves said the intervention in Lisbon was unjustified because the square was peaceful, and criticised the use of force.
Protesters are demanding the withdrawal of a bill that would make evictions easier and end rent controls on new contracts. The bill passed its first reading in parliament with the far-right Chega party abstaining. Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has rejected calls to withdraw it but said he was willing to discuss amendments before the final vote, expected in the coming weeks.
The camp was cleared on the same day that Portuguese police arrested 13 housing protesters. The protests are taking place amid a housing crisis, with property prices in Portugal more than doubling since 2017 and rents for new contracts almost doubling.
