Latest news and stories about protests in culture in Portugal for expats and residents.
CNN Portugal commentator Pedro Costa highlights that the growing political focus on the nation's housing crisis marks a significant initial victory for recent demonstrators.
Lisbon police have warned housing rights protesters that their camp at Rossio square is unauthorised and must be cleared, while hoping to resolve the standoff without force. Despite the dispersal deadline passing, demonstrators formed human chains to protect their tents, maintaining their protest against current housing policies amid fears of an eviction similar to that in Porto.
Lisbon traders do not want to move the Rossio Christmas market and protesters also refuse to change the location of the demonstration.
An open letter criticises the stance of Porto City Council, the Government, and the President of the Republic, demanding an 'immediate end' to police violence against protesters.
In an open letter, the group acknowledges the importance of the Christmas Market for the city, appealing to Moedas for a 'more suitable alternative' by changing the location to Praça do Município.
The singer makes an appeal to everyone with a platform to “speak out” against the violence.
A reflection on the erosion of democracy and the rise of fascist tendencies in Portugal, contrasted with the resilience of democracy in Brazil. The author, whose son was among those detained during a student protest, discusses how fascism subtly infiltrates society, legal systems, and language, arguing that it is a state of mind born from frustration and neglect. The piece critiques the failure of the Portuguese post-revolutionary system to fully integrate constitutional values into public education, law enforcement, and the judicial system, ultimately calling for active resistance and the safeguarding of democratic rights.
Just over 15 hours after the police charge that swept through the Rossio encampment on Sunday morning (1), thousands of people have gathered again in one of the Portuguese capital's main squares. The 'Acampada Orchestra' is performing several classics, including 'Venham Mais Cinco' by the protest singer José Afonso.
Influencer and businesswoman Rute Sousa considers that “the police are not here to be good or bad, they are here to restore order”.
Suzana Garcia says that the majority of protesters left without incident. The lawyer accuses those who remained of trying to provoke the police to appear in the news.
Who cares about a woman who died caught in a loom when there is 24-hour live coverage of the campers in the centre of Lisbon and Porto? The tent in Rossio is the ISCTE version of the Big Brother house.
Today it is easy to find a widespread discourse that describes protesters as radicals, unemployed, young people who do not want to work hard, troublemakers, people who only want disorder, or even 'people with ear gauges'. The goal is to resignify the protest and make people believe it only concerns minorities, when that is not the case.
Classics of protest music, written by José Mário Branco, José Afonso or Sérgio Godinho, as well as more contemporary songs, have been heard at the housing rights protests in Portugal. BLITZ has put together a playlist featuring songs sung by Tim, Ana Moura, Dino d'Santiago and Capicua.
In an exclusive interview with CNN Portugal in Madrid, the Portuguese musician believes that recent protests go far beyond dissatisfaction with housing, stressing that the President of the Republic must choose between supporting the Government or the millions of Portuguese people who elected him. Pedro Abrunhosa maintains that silence “is not a solution”.
Independent record label Cafetra Records has launched a compilation available for donation, with all proceeds going to support the 'Acampada de Lisboa', a protest camp advocating for the right to housing. The album, 'Acampilação Fetra e Amigos', features 14 tracks from various artists. The label, founded in 2008, expresses solidarity with housing protests occurring across the country. These demonstrations follow recent housing legislation and have been met with police intervention in both Porto and Lisbon.
The independent record label Cafetra Records has created a compilation, available from today, with all proceeds from sales via voluntary donation going to support the Acampada de Lisboa, a protest action for the right to housing.
Proceeds from sales will go towards supporting the encampment.
The open letter 'Culture for the Right to Housing', launched this Tuesday, had 891 signatures by 4:00 PM today.
Nearly 900 people, mostly cultural workers, signed an open letter on Wednesday, 21 October, condemning the violence seen during housing rights protests in Porto and Lisbon, stating it undermines the constitutional right to protest. The signatories, including prominent figures such as Salvador Sobral, Valter Hugo Mãe, and Pedro Penim, support the demonstrators' demands for better housing policies and a living environment guaranteed by the Portuguese Constitution. The letter highlights the severe housing crisis in Portugal, where, despite low average wages, housing prices have seen record increases, exacerbating the struggle for dignity and leading to widespread protests across several cities.
Ana Moura, Tim, Vitorino and Dino D' Santiago joined the protesters at Rossio. A night of protests and promises.
The housing protests in Lisbon and Porto were attended by several Portuguese musicians this Tuesday. Tim, lead singer of Xutos, and Vitorino performed together.
“Grândola, Vila Morena”. In Rossio, Lisbon, artists and protesters for the right to housing sang José Afonso's song this Tuesday night. With no sign of tents and less visible police presence than on Saturday, the crowd gathered at Praça D. Pedro IV.
In Lisbon and Porto, thousands of protesters gathered in city centre squares to continue protesting over access to housing. Tim, Dino, Vitorino, and Ana Moura were there to sing.
It would be so desirable for the decent left not to collude with activism that attacks, that nauseates, and that will leave city squares filthy on the day they grow tired and move on to something else!
Vítor Cotovio, a psychiatrist, appeared on CNN 20 Horas to analyse some aspects of the protests taking place across Europe, including in Portugal.
Bordalo II published a video featuring the installation of a sign reading 'For Sale' in front of City Hall, which has since been removed.
Ricardo Araújo Pereira comments on the contrast between violent protests in France and the more subdued approach to demonstrations in Portugal, maintaining a tone of measured indignation.
A satirical political movement has been organising protests and has already mobilised thousands to demonstrate.
Protests both in support of and against Lula take place during the Brazilian president's official visit to Portugal.
