Politics · Other · 5 hrs ago
Portuguese police clear housing protest camps, arrest 13
Police dismantled housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto early on November 1, arresting 13 people.
The camps followed marches against Portugal’s housing costs, and police said the protesters were ordered to disperse.
Police said 13 officers were injured, while organizers reported dozens of injured protesters; the totals differ between accounts.
Demonstrators want the minority centre-right government to drop plans to make evictions easier and remove rent caps on new leases.
They say the changes could raise costs and leave tenants more exposed during a severe housing crisis.
House prices have more than doubled since 2017, and rents for new leases have nearly doubled, according to the reporting.
A lawyer for protesters said he would file a criminal complaint against the interior minister and police chief, and Acampada Lisboa called a new rally in Lisbon.
The government has defended the police response and says the camps must end.
Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps in Lisbon and Porto early on November 1, arresting 13 people.
Police said six people were arrested in Lisbon and seven in Porto for refusing orders to disperse.
Police reported 13 officers injured, while protest organizers said dozens of demonstrators were hurt.
The camps followed marches against high housing costs and proposed changes to rental rules.
Protesters said the proposed changes would make evictions easier and remove rent caps on new leases.
- Who
- Police and housing protesters in Lisbon and Porto. Police arrested 13 people.
- What
- Police dismantled protest camps; clashes left police and civilians injured.
- When
- Early on November 1, at about 4:30am local time.
- Where
- Rossio Square in Lisbon and Dom Joao I Square in Porto, Portugal.
- Why
- Protesters were opposing high housing costs and proposed measures to ease evictions and remove rent caps on new leases.
Police
Housing protesters
Use of force
Police
Police said the operation was carried out with rigor, balance and respect for citizens’ rights.
Housing protesters
Protesters and their representatives described the operation as police violence and criticized the use of force.
Encampments
Police
Police said the tents had been erected illegally and protesters were arrested for refusing orders to disperse.
Housing protesters
Protesters camped to oppose housing costs and government rental measures they said would worsen the crisis.
Police cleared protest camps in Lisbon and Porto; Amnesty International later criticized the use of force.
Peaceful marches against housing costs took place in Lisbon and Porto, and protesters set up camps.
Police moved into camps in Rossio Square and Dom Joao I Square, dispersing protesters and removing tents.
Acampada Lisboa called a new rally in Lisbon to protest the police operation.
- Arrests
- 13 people: six in Lisbon and seven in Porto
- Police injuries
- 13 officers; eight were taken to hospital
- Tents seized
- 69 in Lisbon and 30 in Porto
- Camps
- Rossio Square, Lisbon; Dom Joao I Square, Porto
- Housing shortage
- Bank of Portugal estimate: 300,000 homes
4 sources
What people are saying
with rigor, balance and respect for citizens' rights
We will not be silenced
This is a dark night in the history of Portuguese democracy. This is absolutely intolerable and has crossed all limits.
deeply concerned by the excessive and disproportionate use of force by police