Portugal has the worst housing crisis in Europe. The average rent is Lisbon is HIGHER than the median salary, and the problem is spreading to the whole country. The situation is unbearable. 2/7
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This is no longer just a housing crisis - it is a democratic crisis.
The right to protest is enshrined in the Portuguese constitution and has been repeatedly violated - based on a pre-constitution law that legal experts contest. Police violence has been completely out of proportion. 4/7
Last night, riot cops cleared the camp in ten minutes. Protesters peacefully resisted holding only pieces of cardboard to protect themselves.
The police then chased them through the streets of Lisbon for hours with dogs and rubber bullets. 5/7
In the meantime, the right wing government is working on a law that makes evictions easier, removes limits on rent increases, and allows landlords to demand an unlimited deposit at the start of a contract.
The Prime Minister, who owns 55 properties, called protesters "selfish". 6/7
Two weeks ago, an encampment protesting all this started in Porto. The police intervened violently to break it up. Protesters returned and also set up in Lisbon. There have been concerts, assemblies, activities for families. The police has been violently breaking up the protests on repeat. 3/7