Popular Assembly in Funchal supports camped by the right to housing

C100 people participated today in a popular assembly in Funchal, in the context of national demonstrations for the right to housing, and unanimously approved a vote of solidarity for those camped in Porto and Lisbon.

“It is a cause that touches all of us. We all need a home, regardless of the policy and the [wage] we receive. We know that there are people who receive above average and that they still cannot afford an apartment, a house”, said Inês Tecedeiro, one of the spokespersons of the initiative.

The popular assembly, which took place in Jardim Municipal, in the center of the capital of Madeira, decided to set up several working groups to prepare the demonstration on November 14 in the autonomous region, in the context of the protests scheduled for this date at national level.

“ We all have life, however, all of us can give a little [time] to the cause,” said Inês Tecedeiro, who today was elected one of the four spokespersons of the group.

It was decided that the demonstration in Madeira will take place at 5:00 p.m., the same time for the demonstrations in Lisbon and Porto.

The participants in the meeting, including some politicians who were fond of the PS, BE and PCP, also decided to hold another popular assembly next Saturday, October 30, to continue preparations for the demonstration on November 14.

Liliana Valente, also elected spokesperson for the group, warned what she classified as the “tourisation” of Funchal and Madeira, which says it was carried out by the Regional Government PSD/CDS-PP.

“ Funchal has become a city for tourism, for Gold visas, and there are no apartments available for rental. What we need is affordable rents, based on the wages we have. This is essential”, he said.

Liliana Valente claimed to have received a letter from the landlord to terminate the lease until 30 and April 2027 and now does not find home less than 1,500 euros per month.

“ I live with my partner and our son, 16 years old, and we do not know where to go ", said.

Catarina Claro, who also participated in the popular assembly, said she lives in a house borrowed by a family member.

“ That's how we survive, with a son, with school to pay for. Otherwise, in my family, it would be impossible for us to rent a house right now”, he said.

Catarina Claro considered, therefore, that it is time for the Madeirans to protest on the street for the right to housing.

“ I'm here in defense of myself, of mine, but above all in defense of all of us. I am not only here for myself, I am for all people at national level, especially here in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, for defending the right to housing for all people ", highlighted.

The PSP dispersed today at dawn, batonada and with the use of dogs, demonstrations for the right to housing in Lisbon and Porto, after more than two hours of tension and orders for people to leave and tents to be removed.

The demonstrators did not follow orders, invoking the constitutional right to the demonstration.

According to the PSP, there were 33 wounded, 27 in Lisbon and six in Porto, and 31 arrested for disobedience (25 in Lisbon and six in Porto).

The protesters demand the reversal of the new rental law, the end of demolitions and evictions without an alternative housing, a stop to the purchase of housing by real estate funds, the increase in public housing, the recovery of vacant buildings for housing purposes and ceilings “truely accessible” to income.