Housing: Alderman sensitive to the appeals of the cultural agents of Porto

O councilman of the Culture of the House of Porto, Jorge Sobrado, today expressed himself “sensitive to the appeal” of the city’s cultural agents regarding the Camping by Housing and change of the ice rink, looking for “bridges” where it “appears to be missing”.

“I was neither neutral; I went and made myself present. I've been looking for bridges where I seem to be missing. I am therefore sensitive to the appeal that the cultural agents addressed to me, which I understand and in which I recognize myself”, can be read in a letter in response to the cultural agents of the city sent on Monday, published today on their social networks.

In a letter of Monday, more than 600 cultural agents demanded Jorge Sobrado a position of “supporting cultural activities promoted in the square (and all of which are free and open to popular participation) and diligence for the immediate change of plans to assemble an ice rink in D. João I Square to another place”.

In the answer, the councilman says that “although the decisions on the Christmas and New Year’s Eve programming, and their location, are not within the perimeter of responsibility of the Pelour of Culture”, he considers, “as elected councilor”, that he must “keep the contacts” that he considers “opportune” and share his “convictions and ideas” with the executive, hoping that “they will be heard, in the search for a solution that represents the culture of the city”.

“ I called for the listening and availability of dialogue. Listen and dialogue that I have practiced with many cultural agents in the city, as their interlocutor. I visited several times – and not just this last Saturday – the square D. João I”, says in missive.

The councilman, who was elected by the PS, but passed to the councilor with pelouro of the executive of Pedro Duarte (PSD/CDS-PP/IL), said he solidarized “for several times (...) with a cause and a shock” that considers “just”.

“ I also argued that the demonstrations in Porto were peaceful. Likewise, publicly, I considered the police interventions unfair and disproportionate and affirmed the conviction that no repression and violent action will be constructive ", pointed out.

On November 1, Jorge Sobrado argued that the police activity in the Porto camp “was disproportionate and unfair to the city” and that the demonstration is peaceful.

Two days later, Pedro Duarte’s executive – including Sobrado – and the Aquida failed a proposal made by the PS to appeal to the Government and police forces to refrain from “violent interventions” in the camp.

In his social networks, Jorge Sobrado said he voted against for believing that the demonstrations for housing should not be “instrumentalized by party opportunism”.

“ I recognize myself in several of the recitals and allegations of this proposal of the councilors of the PS (...). I cannot, however, look at the language and tone of some of the statements that follow. When we call for dialogue between the parties and actors, we must respect their conclusions. We cannot appeal to dialogue and concentration and, contradictorily, deviate from the discourse that promotes them”, we can read.

As for the ice rink, whose assembly is scheduled for Friday in Praça D. João I, site of the Camping by Housing since October 10, the subscribers remember that “is three years ago in Largo Amor de Perdição” and remember that a specifications of burden of Christmas facilities “specifically refers to the ice rink located in Jardim da Cordoria, Largo Amor de Perdição”.

According to the Port House, the decision to install an ice rink in Praça D. João I was taken before starting the Camp.

However, the subscribers consider that “it is not innocent to change the location of the ice rink” which, “to be confirmed, would be a deliberate attack on the right to the demonstration that is recognized in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic”.