BE asks for clarifications on the action of the Municipal Police in Porto

O Left Block today asked the House of Porto for clarification on the action of the Municipal Police and cleaning services during the interventions related to the protest for the right to housing, in square D. João I.

In a request addressed to the president of the Municipal Assembly of Porto, the BE municipal group asks for information on the articulation between the municipality and the PSP, the use of batons by Municipal Police agents and the destination of personal goods removed from Praça D. João I.

On Sunday morning, October 25, a police intervention related to the protest took place again, resulting in 37 wounded and six arrested, according to the camp promoters.

The BE intends to clarify why the vehicles of the municipal cleaning services entered the square while the police operation took place, who determined its mobilization and what articulation was established with the security forces.

The municipal group also claims to have received a testimony that cleaning workers will have sought to safeguard food and other goods existing on the site, but a municipal police officer will have ordered them to be put in the trash.

The application also mentions a video record that, according to BE, shows two municipal police officers to strike blows with baton on two people coming down Rua de Sá da Bandeira, before police intervention in the area of Praça D. João I.

In view of these reports, BE questions what steps will be promoted to ascertain the circumstances of the agents' activities, the instructions that were transmitted to them and the legal framework of their intervention.

The fate of personal property withdrawn during the different operations is another of the issues raised.

According to the document, there are citizens who still cannot recover objects such as identification documents, mobile phones and keys.

The municipal group also intends to know the chain of decision and coordination of operations carried out since October 12, including the participation of the Municipal Police and other municipal services and the articulation with the PSP.

Finally, BE questions whether the municipality will propose a meeting of the Municipal Security Council to examine the events and discuss measures that guarantee the exercise of the rights of assembly and demonstration in public space.

The request arises following previous requests for information submitted by the party on interventions in the protest camp installed in Praça D. João I after the demonstration by the right to housing, held in Porto on October 10.