At the demolition site from 07:00 to 13:00 on Monday, Flávio Almada from the movement Vida Justa described a “very aggressive” operation, stating the neighborhood was surrounded by the PSP Rapid Intervention Team: “Nobody was allowed in, and residents couldn’t even leave.”
Speaking to Lusa news agency, the spokesperson for Vida Justa stated that “two houses were demolished” and accused the Amadora City Council of ignoring the precautionary measures filed by residents and failing to provide housing solutions.
On Sunday, Vida Justa reported the demolition of 16 homes on Estrada Militar (Mina de Água).
In a written response to Lusa, the Amadora City Council (CMA), led by Vítor Ferreira (PS), clarified that all 22 illegal constructions in the Estrada Militar, in the former Santa Filomena neighborhood, “will be demolished,” identifying around 30 adults and 14 children/young people as occupants.
“These constructions are being demolished as they represent a setback in the efforts the municipality has been making over the past few years. Today’s process is proceeding with the usual rigor required by such a demanding operation,” the authority claimed, without stating how many constructions have already been demolished.
According to Vida Justa, residents of self-constructed houses filed precautionary measures to halt the demolitions, asserting that “the council was aware,” as they were notified by lawyers regarding the court’s decision to order the suspension of the demolitions.
In contrast, the municipality stated that “whenever the court officially informs the council of the acceptance of the precautionary measure, the council obviously respects and complies with the judicial decision, subsequently providing a response.”
Asked whether the council would commit a disobedience crime if the constructions covered by these precautionary measures are demolished, the authority reiterated that “the measure must be accepted by the court and forwarded solely by this judicial body to the CMA.”
Vida Justa also criticized the absence of social service technicians from the council in the neighborhood during the demolitions, particularly for providing housing solutions to the residents.
In response, the council announced that both the parish council and the municipality’s social action division “ensured due attention, clarification, and guidance” for the residents.
“Additionally, on this date, the CMA’s social services, in coordination with central administration services, will provide emergency responses according to the manifested and diagnosed needs,” the authority added.
