The attack that took place last Saturday during a Pro-Life demonstration is a worrying sign of the state of public debate in Portugal. Regardless of ideological convictions, violence can never be tolerated as a tool for political intervention. When citizens gather peacefully to express a position, it is the State's duty to ensure their safety without ambiguity. The Minister of Internal Administration's statements sought to convey calm, stressing that authorities are investigating the incident and that there will be no complacency regarding such acts. Even so, there was a sense of hesitation in the clear and unequivocal political condemnation of the attack, as if the ideological context of the targets could relativize the gravity of the facts. It cannot. And the fact that the aggressor was released is also a cause for perplexity. Party reactions also revealed a familiar pattern: firm condemnations from one side, embarrassed silence or overly cautious statements from the other. This asymmetry weakens the democratic space. Political violence must be repudiated with equal vehemence, regardless of who the victims are or what causes are being debated. This episode raises essential questions about the authority of the State, the neutrality of institutions, and the growing intolerance in the public sphere. It is not just an isolated case, but a symptom of an environment where pluralism is increasingly difficult to exercise without fear. Over decades, Portugal has built a democracy based on freedom of expression and coexistence between differences. Allowing this foundation to erode, whether by action or omission, paves the way for a radicalization that serves no one. Combating political violence requires firmness, consistency, and, above all, the political courage to affirm principles, even when they are uncomfortable in the eyes of some.