Dozens of people gathered on Saturday in Lisbon’s Praça do Comércio to show solidarity with Americans in the United States, coinciding with another ‘No Kings’ protest against President Donald Trump.
The protest was organized by Americans in Portugal United in Protest (AMPT UP) and began at 3:00 PM. Participants held signs and chanted slogans such as “No kings, no crowns.”
One attendee held a sign surrounded by five red carnations stating, “America needs what Portugal knows – Fight for true liberation.”
Chants of “Stand up, fight back when fascists attack” echoed through the square, while some speakers called for volunteers to address the crowd.
“We are here to show solidarity with American citizens who disagree with Trump’s policies, despite being labeled terrorists by some,” said one speaker.
Gerry Walkney, 71, traveled from Setúbal, where he has lived for nearly two years, expressing himself as a “staunch democrat” and emphasizing the need for a “great union of Americans” to overthrow the current President, whom he deems “terrible for the country and the world.”
“It’s necessary for Congress to act in removing this President, but they have done nothing,” he added.
Behind Walkney, a protester held a sign reading: “Above us only sky.”
Other rallying cries included “Bring back democracy” and “No Trump/No KKK/No fascists in USA,” echoing messages from the AMPT.
Another sign declared, “Fight ignorants Not immigrants.”
Richard Emerson, who has lived in Lisbon for 30 years, described himself as independent, but joined the protest because his birth country “can’t remain in the hands of a fascist.”
“Democracy in America is seriously at risk, and only a massive national and international protest movement can defeat ‘king’ Trump’s policies.”
Emerson cited past protests, such as those ending the Vietnam War, as the only effective methods.
Holding a sign that read “A Cowering Congress Tolerates Tyrannical King Trump,” adorned with two small American flags, Emerson underscored the importance of ongoing protests to depose a man he describes as a “source of hate for the entire world.”
Chris Dee, originally from Philadelphia, where the U.S. Constitution was written, has resided in Lisbon for two and a half years and was one of the speakers at the protest.
In her address, she cited two reasons for attending: her life spent in freedom, leading her to leave the U.S. due to Trump’s regime, and concern for her 21-year-old son, a university student in Hawaii.
Emphasizing her upbringing in the birthplace of the Constitution, which Trump “rejects and disregards,” she expressed fear for her son, as both share darker skin tones in a climate favoring “white supremacy.”
Additionally, she voiced concern about her son and potential grandchildren living under fascism in a country known for its rich democratic traditions.
Leslie Sisman, one of the organizers and speakers, highlighted “the incompetence” of the current U.S. President.
You can see images from the protest in the gallery above.
