Portugal’s Public Security Police (PSP) detained 55 housing protesters this morning for allegedly resisting when officers removed tents from the Lisbon Camp, situated in Praça D. Pedro IV, in Rossio.
In a statement, the PSP said that the 55 people detained for disobedience were “taken to police stations and (will be) brought before the judicial authority as soon as possible”.
According to police, “a duly coordinated operation took place on Tuesday at 05:45 in Praça D. Pedro IV (Rossio) in Lisbon and in Praça D. João I in Porto”. In the capital, 228 tents were seized by Municipal Police.
“At present, two people are reported to have sustained minor injuries; one was treated at the scene and the other was taken to hospital,” the statement adds, noting that demonstrators had been notified in advance about the illegal occupation of a public space.
“In this regard, and having verified that the legal conditions for the cessation of the demonstrations had been met, the PSP engaged in dialogue, mediation and awareness-raising with participants, with a view to encouraging voluntary dispersal and the removal of existing camp structures,” the text continues.
The intervention was conducted “in accordance with the criteria of necessity, appropriateness and proportionality, using only those means that are legally permissible and strictly essential to overcome the resistance encountered.”
According to the statement, police action took place due to “prolonged and sustained demonstrations, damage to public buildings, as well as to remove tents erected without the necessary legal authorisation and in breach of applicable legislation”.
As demonstrators did not comply with the PSP instructions, “express orders to disperse were issued, accompanied by the corresponding legal warnings, including regarding the possible commission of the offence of disobedience in the event of failure to comply with a lawful order”.
Despite repeated police instructions, a group of demonstrators “refused to leave Praça D. Pedro IV, engaging in active resistance to police intervention” and thereby hindering the implementation of the legally mandated measures.
“In view of how the situation developed, it became necessary to take police measures aimed at ensuring compliance with the orders issued and the safety of all those involved,” the statement reads.
“The use of force by officers was justified by the specific circumstances of the operation, limited to the minimum necessary, and ceased as soon as the conditions that had necessitated it no longer applied.”
Speaking to SIC TV News, Priscila Valadão, spokesperson for the Lisbon Camp protesters, described the police action as “very aggressive”, adding that some tents “were dragged away whilst people were sleeping” inside them.
Valadão also stated that she had heard detained protesters asking for medical attention, which was allegedly refused.
In its statement, the PSP also noted that situations likely to constitute criminal offences, notably disobedience, “will be subject to procedures provided for by law, without prejudice to the individual assessment of conduct and the appropriate intervention of the judicial authorities.”
In the city of Porto, once dialogue had been established with protesters, “they complied with the PSP’s requests and instructions”, and the camp structures that had been set up were removed, “without the need for coercive intervention by the PSP.”
The operation involved the cooperation of the Lisbon and Porto Municipal Police forces, together with their respective municipal urban sanitation services, the National Institute for Medical Emergencies and the National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection.
The PSP adds that it will continue to monitor the situation and will take “necessary measures to preserve public order and tranquillity, prioritising dialogue, mediation and the peaceful resolution of conflicts wherever possible.”
It emphasises that the exercise of the constitutional right to demonstrate “is fully recognised and protected, even when it involves challenging the decisions of the authorities.”
While also reaffirming that it “respects and protects the constitutional right of assembly and demonstration, including the peaceful expression of dissent regarding the actions of public authorities”, the police force considers that the exercise of these rights “does not remove the obligation to comply with the applicable legal provisions, nor does it legitimise the unauthorised and permanent occupation of public spaces.”
Following the police crackdown, protesters gathered at a people’s assembly in Lisbon’s Baixa district decided, at around 8.30 this morning, to disperse and return to Rossio at 7pm, according to spokesperson Priscila Valadão.
“We will decide at 7pm whether to continue the camp or (opt for) some other form of protest,” she said – adding that the actions scheduled for this evening will be carried out in coordination with protesters in Porto.
Source: LUSA