“On April 25, 2025, members of the nationalist and neo-Nazi groups Ergue-te, 1143, and Habeas Corpus gathered at Largo de São Domingos, near Rossio. This demonstration, considered high-risk by the PSP itself, was neither prevented nor adequately contained by the authorities,” criticized the organizations in a statement.
In the same note sent to newsrooms, the 26 signatory organizations criticized the absence of a security cordon, which allowed the groups to remain in a location where “thousands of people were peacefully celebrating April 25” and demanded a “thorough investigation.”
Due to the lack of a “firm response from the PSP,” there were “physical assaults perpetrated by members of these groups,” according to the organizations, who observed how the PSP has acted “significantly differently (…) towards anti-fascist demonstrations and those defending democracy and human rights.”
The statement exemplified how in September, at Largo do Intendente in Lisbon, the PSP “completely encircled the area and prevented entries and exits, citing security reasons.”
“In contrast, the demonstration organized by Chega on the same day, involving rhetoric hostile to immigrant communities, was accompanied by the PSP with no restraint,” the organizations criticized.
Referring to other cases, an “alarming pattern” was identified: the PSP acts harshly against progressive, democratic, anti-racist, and anti-fascist demonstrations but shows tolerance and passivity towards elements of far-right organizations.
The party Ergue-te scheduled a demonstration for this afternoon at the Praça do Martim Moniz, as part of the closing of the campaign for the early legislative elections on Sunday.
Based on the opinion of the Lisbon Metropolitan PSP Command, the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, decided “to object to the demonstration and rally communicated by the party Ergue-te,” considering the “real and well-founded risk of disturbance to public order.”
The mayor also considers that the manifestation is an “affront to the dignity of Lisbon’s resident communities and a threat to democratic coexistence,” according to the order accessed by Lusa.
