Lisbon police arrest 55 housing protesters and clear Rossio tent camp

Protesters who in recent days have been camping in the centres of Lisbon and Porto to demand the right to housing were forced to remove their tents and banners after the authorities intervened.

Just before 06:00 local time (07:00 CEST) on Tuesday morning, police vans arrived at Rossio and Praça D. João I and gave demonstrators five to ten minutes to bring the protest to an end. Police said the gatherings were no longer legal. In the capital, there was resistance to the order to disperse, with protesters forming a human chain. Objects were even thrown at officers from the Public Security Police (PSP), who resorted to using batons.

In a forceful operation, the PSP Special Unit expelled all protesters from Rossio Square. Police said they arrested 55 people and seized 228 camping structures. Protesters said about 30 demonstrators were injured and arrested.

Some of the protesters moved on to Praça da Figueira, where they continued to voice anger at the police action, demanding the return of their belongings and the release of those detained.