Portuguese police dismantle housing protest camps and arrest 55 people
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on New Era
Portuguese police dismantled protest camps against the housing crisis in Lisbon and detained 55 people. Authorities seized 228 camping structures and said the gatherings had become illegal, while protesters denounced rising housing costs, reports New Era.
Portuguese police arrested 55 people during an operation on the morning of 20 October to dismantle camps set up by protesters against the housing crisis in Lisbon, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports. Police also seized 228 tents and other camping structures.
The protesters had pitched tents in Rossio Square, in the centre of the capital, after a demonstration on Saturday. Police said the gathering was no longer legal. Protesters formed a human chain before clashes broke out, according to footage broadcast by local television channels. Police said those detained would be brought before the courts.
The protesters denounce the government’s response to rising housing costs and oppose rental market reforms which, they say, would make evictions easier. They say about 30 protesters were injured and arrested. Some have said they intend to set up the camp again.
In Porto, where the movement began earlier in October, protesters dismantled their camp themselves in the face of the threat of police intervention. In Spain, camps linked to the housing crisis have continued in Madrid for nearly four weeks, following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home. The mobilisation led to the calling of snap parliamentary elections on 29 November, AFP reports.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
