Protests in Portugal Persist Against Repression

Featured image: Burning debris during mobilizations in Porto, Portugal. Source: Nova Aurora

In Portugal there has been an increase in popular mobilizations as a part of the increasing struggles throughout Europe. Nova Aurora has reported on the struggle in the city of Porto.

They report that from October 10 and onward, the D. João I Square has been a center of popular mobilizations in the city, centering in the beginning on the struggle for affordable and livable housing and against the unbearable increase in cost of living, on which Nova Aurora has been reporting.

On October 10 a protest camp was put up on the square, following a rally against the living conditions, which was held after a march in solidarity with the Palestinian national resistance. Hundreds of activists maintained the protest camp until Monday, when they faced the first attack and intended expulsion by the police.

The protesters resisted the police attacks for hours, before having to retreat to regroup. They decided to maintain the occupation of the square, first by sleeping out in the open and setting up tents again on Wednesday, October 14, after a gathering of several hundred activists.

Nova Aurora reported on the renewed police attack on the same night, which was met by fierce resistance – resulting in at least 50 injured, including at least one broken arm, a broken hand and two with serious head injuries.

Nova Aurora goes on to highlight the combative spirit of the masses, reporting also mobilizations on October 15 in the same square that lasted until the night. They affirm that this determination must serve as an inspiration in the ongoing protests and that the corresponding lessons should be analyzed and implemented.