The Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) intervened on Friday to remove two individuals linked to far-right movements from a building’s balcony on Rua do Benformoso, in Martim Moniz, where they were delivering an anti-immigration speech.
The Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the PSP reported that the incident occurred around 1:30 PM. The two men were identified along with three other individuals who were reportedly supporting them.
At lunchtime, amidst a high concentration of people gathered on Rua do Benformoso to access an informal place of worship in Mouraria, the activists used a ladder to climb onto the first-floor balcony of a building, displaying banners and making speeches against immigration in both Portuguese and English, according to the police.
The property owner, a Portuguese citizen, informed the police that he had not authorized the use of his premises and did not wish the individuals to remain there, prompting authorities to order their removal.
When the suspects refused to comply, they were removed by force, with access to the building provided to the police by the owner.
The PSP noted that the unauthorized demonstration held potential for provocation, as there were reports of statements against Islam. However, the police ensured there were no reports of violent behavior from onlookers witnessing the event.
Following their identification at the scene and procedural steps at the police station, the individuals were released.
The location is an area inhabited and frequented by many immigrants, primarily from the Indian subcontinent.
Rua do Benformoso has been in the media spotlight in recent months following a controversial PSP intervention on December 19, where images surfaced showing dozens of immigrants being searched against building walls. The incident drew criticism from left-wing activists and prompted an appeal from over a hundred organizations against police actions in immigrant communities and peripheral areas.
