Protesters “invaded” market of Figueira Square: “Removed tables”

A Public Security Police (PSP) again advanced on the demonstrators concentrated in the camps in Lisbon and Porto. During the police intervention in Lisbon, the Lower Pombalina Dinamization Association (ADBP) denounces that protesters have invaded “the market space, removing tables and banks from the bays, in a situation that put the safety of the premises at risk”.

“The Lower Pombalina Dinamization Association (ADBP) fully respects the right to demonstration as a fundamental right of a democratic society. However, it cannot fail to express its deep concern and vehement condemnation for acts of violence and for the behaviours recorded on Saturday night”, begins by writing the association, which represents economic activities, trade, industry and services of Lower and Chiado, in a communication sent to the essays, where adds: “particularly in the Figueira Market in Figueira Square”, organized by you.

According to ADBP, “during the incidents, protesters invaded the market space, removing tables and banks from the stalls, in a situation that put at risk the safety of premises, traders and the very continuity of market activity. Thanks to the on-site private security intervention, it was possible to avoid potentially more serious consequences”.

“ The right to demonstrate cannot justify behaviour that endangers people, goods and economic activities. It is possible to defend causes and express opinions without resorting to violence, intimidation or destruction of the work of those who daily contribute to the life of the city. The right to demonstration is not incompatible with other fundamental rights. One’s freedom ends when it calls into question the freedom of others”you can read it on the same note.

The ADBP also warns of the economic and social consequences “what situations of this nature cause throughout Lower Chiado”. “ This is a space where thousands of workers develop their activity and where hundreds of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises struggle daily for their sustainability, ensuring jobs and contributing to the Lisbon economy. Repeating these episodes compromises consumer confidence, affects consumer confidence, pushes away visitors and tourists and can result in a fall in sales at a particularly important time for independent trade, consisting of hundreds of SMEs’”, remember.

“The Lower Pombalina Dinamization Association strongly condemns the acts of violence and calls for the sense of responsibility of all, as well as the adoption of measures to ensure the safety of persons and goods and prevent the repetition of similar situations. Defending freedom of expression is also defending the right to work, to undertake and to live in security”, they finish.

In the meantime, the President of the Republic, António José Seguro, has already asked for information “in full detail” to the Government and Ombudsman’s Office, about what happened this morning in the demonstrations for housing in Lisbon and Porto and about the situation of the detainees and wounded, having spoken this morning with Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro (PSD), and with the Ombudsman, Luísa Neto.

In representation of the protesters of the Lisbon Camp, lawyer Ricardo Sá Fernandes said today that he will advance with criminal participation against the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, and the national director of PSP, Coelho de Moura, accusing them of “abuse of power” after the police charge this morning.

Between demonstrations and so-called camps, with hundreds or thousands of protesters, the current protests against the housing crisis began in Porto on October 10 and expanded to Lisbon, but have also motivated concentrations in other cities

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