Protesters resume demonstrations in Portugal after police crackdown

Hundreds of protesters returned to Rossio Square in Lisbon and gathered again in Porto on Sunday afternoon, hours after police used batons and dogs to disperse housing rights encampments in both cities in the early hours of the morning, reported Xinhua.

The pre-dawn operation in Lisbon and Porto, carried out after more than two hours of tension and repeated orders to clear the squares, left 11 people injured and resulted in 31 detentions for disobedience, according to the PSP, Portugal’s public security police.

However, the figures were disputed by protest organisers, who said 37 people were injured in Porto alone.

Lisbon hospitals Sao Jose and Santa Maria reported treating 27 people for injuries sustained in the capital, a figure that contradicted the police count.

Protesters returned to Rossio Square on Sunday afternoon under the slogan “More homes, less baton”, with banners reading “Without a home or respect, the street is where I stand up for my rights” and “We don’t want fear in the streets, we want rights”.

The police presence in the square was minimal compared with that during the early-morning operation, and no tents were set up.

People of all ages attended the afternoon gathering, organised by the Acampada de Lisboa movement.

Organisers said it reflected a cause that extended beyond younger generations.