Camp of Lisbon estimates participation of 25,000 people in the demonstration

A Camped in Lisbon today estimated the participation of 25,000 people in the demonstration for the right to housing, which began in the Marquis de Pombal and ended in Rossio, which at 7:30 p.m. still remained crowded.

“Perhaps 25 thousand egotistical people are here,” João Veloso, one of the spokespersons of the Lisbon Camp, pointed out, in an allusion to statements by Prime Minister Luís Montenegro (PSD).

Asked by Lusa, the PSP refused to advance the number of people present at the demonstration, but admitted that there were thousands.

The spokesman João Veloso spoke at the start of the popular assembly of the Camp of Lisbon, which began shortly after 19:00, with thousands of people in front of the statue D. Pedro IV, while in the back are already dozens of tents assembled.

On top of the statue are dozens of perched young people, with their face half covered, raising posters with protest phrases, as well as carnations and handkerchiefs that symbolize the struggle of Palestine.

The spokesman João Veloso called for mobilization for an Iberian general strike for housing and against capital.

“ We managed to overthrow Montenegro,” he said.

Before the start of the popular assembly, popular songs were heard in the center of Praça do Rossio, opposite the stage of the organization of the Camp of Lisbon.

“Wake up Montenegro, the people are not afraid,” the protesters shouted, and then heard “Grandola, Vila Morena”, the music that is symbol of the April Revolution 1974.

“April 25 always, fascisms never again”, they reinforced.

After the popular assembly, a musical moment is scheduled, starting at 9:00 p.m., with the performance of Fado Bicha, Lbc Soldjah, Xullaji, Scúru Fitchádu and Jack & Friends.

In concrete demands to the Government, the Lisbon Camp aims to reverse the rental law, the end of demolitions and evictions without alternative housing and to stop the purchase of housing by real estate funds.

In addition, the increase in public housing, the application of ceilings to rents, and the public initiative to recover devoid of housing properties are required.

Between demonstrations and so-called camped demonstrations, with hundreds or thousands of protesters, the current protests against the housing crisis began in Porto on October 10 and expanded to Lisbon, but they have also motivated concentrations in other cities, days after the parliamentary approval of the new rental law, now under discussion in the specialty.

The initiatives, promoted by civic movements and spread across social networks, demand measures that respond to the crisis in the sector, the control of the prices of essential goods and fuels and defend taxes on the extraordinary profits of large companies in the banking sector.

On October 15, the protesting movement in Porto, with a camp, denounced a violent police charge during the early hours that caused injuries in 39 of the participants, two of whom were in a serious state, and in a police officer. In Lisbon, the authorities removed dozens of Rossio tents early in the morning of Tuesday and held 55 demonstrators, who will be present to judge on 27.

Protest promoters promise to stay on the streets.