Crowds Fill Lisbon and Porto Squares as Protests Continue Into Evening
Large numbers of demonstrators, including families and children, gathered in Lisbon's Rossio and Porto's D. João I squares as police presence increased.
Around 5:30 p.m., demonstrators filled half of Lisbon's D. Pedro IV plaza, with families and children joining youths who have been present throughout the protest days. The Rossio square also hosted a sizable crowd, while Porto's D. João I square displayed a massive gathering that seemed larger than the previous day's turnout. Police from the PSP maintained positions in both locations, supported by intervention-unit vans and additional forces as attendance rose. By 7 p.m., organizers planned popular assemblies to vote on re-installing tents, warning of possible police intervention if tents remained after 12:30 a.m. Protesters expressed widespread anger over police actions that left 27 injured the prior night and called for restraint against further police penalties.
Why it matters
The protests highlight growing public dissent over police tactics and government response in Portugal.
How this story developed
- Oct 20 Police order removal of protest tents, arrest demonstrators in Lisbon's Rossio square
- Oct 21 The housing minister publicly expressed willingness to renegotiate the rent law.
- Oct 22 Public Prosecutor’s Office proposed a temporary suspension of proceedings for the detained activists.
- Oct 24 Organizers announced a new demonstration for Saturday starting at Marquês de Pombal and moving to Rossio.
- Oct 25 Police entered Rossio square in Lisbon and Praça D. João I in Porto in the early morning and seized 171 tents and related items.
- Oct 25 Activists announced further demonstrations later that day at Praça D. Pedro IV in Lisbon and Praça D. João I in Porto.
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