The Free Parliamentary Group questioned the legal basis of the action of the Municipal Police in Porto, which removed tents from the camp in Praça D. João I, in questions sent to the House of Porto.
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14/10/2026
by
Lusa
O Livre wants to know the legal basis for the intervention of the Municipal Police by removing tents from the camp in square D. João I, in questions today sent by the municipal group to the City Hall of Porto.
“ What is the legal and regulatory basis invoked for the action of the Porto Municipal Police in this action? How this legal and regulatory basis overlaps with Article 45 of the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, which expressly states in paragraph 1: ‘Do citizens have the right to meet peacefully and without weapons, even in places open to the public, without any authorization’?’, asks the parliamentary group in the Municipal Assembly, in questions sent to the executive.
Who gave the intervention order by the Municipal Police for the removals from the tents of Dom João I Square? When was this order given and what documents prove this order?", questions the parliamentary group in the Municipal Assembly.
The Free also wants to know who gave the intervention order for the action of this security force, which removed Monday the tents installed in that square, "when that order was given and which documents prove that order".
On the other hand, the Livre also wants to know where the property is taken “by the Municipal Police and chamber services”, and how protesters can recover these goods.
“ Why is the identification of demonstrators being requested for this purpose? What is the legal or regulatory standard for this identification request? If the protesters identify themselves to get their property back is there the possibility of prosecutions against these people being opened?", they still question.
About 50 protesters spent the night in the square, from Monday to Tuesday, ensuring that the protest will continue, with popular assemblies and activities during the day to mobilize the accession.
A spokesman said that the city council authorized, however, the resettlement of the tents within about 48 hours and explained that the withdrawal on Monday was justified by legal issues related to the occupation of public space without notice and the installation of infrastructure.
The protest should be extended indefinitely, but decisions will be taken in a meeting scheduled for 19:00 today on the spot.
On Monday morning, the Municipal Police withdrew the about 50 tents that were armed in that square in the center of Porto under a demonstration that took place on Saturday against the increase in the cost of living and housing costs, organized by the platform “Can’t live like this anymore”.
The protesters remained in the square during the day and night of Monday, and promote a popular assembly on Wednesday.
On Monday, the municipality assured that the camp in protest against housing prices was unduly occupying public space, which is why it was removed by the authorities.
In a statement, the municipality indicated that “the occupation of Praça D. João I through the installation of a camp was evaluated by the competent authorities and security forces, who should act in accordance with the law, not allowing the illegal occupation and degradation of the public space”.
“ In this sense, this morning [Monday] began a joint action between PSP, the Municipal Police and Porto Ambiente [municipal company], to remove the objects that unduly occupied the public space of Praça D. João I”, justified.