Portuguese police dismantle housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto

OPA WIRE, Oct 25 (OPA) — Police moved into Lisbon’s Rossio Square and Porto’s Praça D. João I at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday to dismantle roughly 130 tents. Officers utilized batons to disperse crowds after protesters refused to vacate the sites, leading to 31 arrests for disobedience. The Public Security Police (PSP) stated the operation followed the expiration of dialogue and warnings that overnight encampments were illegal.

Protest organizers reported 37 minor injuries during the clashes. Catarina dos Santos, a spokeswoman for the Porto camp, described the police response as an act of intimidation. Witnesses reported the use of canine units and crowd-control tactics, while bystanders in Porto sang "Grândola Vila Morena," a song historically linked to the 1974 revolution, in protest of the police conduct.

The demonstrations are driven by demands for significant legislative reform, including the reversal of current tenancy laws and an end to evictions for those without alternative housing. Protesters are also calling for stricter regulations on real-estate funds, the rehabilitation of vacant properties, and the implementation of rent caps to address the country's escalating cost of living.

While authorities successfully cleared the squares, activists have vowed to continue their campaign. The government remains under pressure to address the housing shortage, which has sparked widespread public frustration. Protesters dispersed to nearby areas following the removal of the tents, signaling that the movement intends to maintain its presence in the city centers.