In statements to Lusa, André Escoval, a spokesperson for the organization and member of the Porta a Porta movement, said the protest aims to urge the government to implement the emergency housing claim document presented today by the Casa para Viver platform.
“We are facing an extremely serious situation in our country, which has even been recognized by the European Union, recommending the government to control rents and limit local accommodation, and so far the government has done nothing, quite the opposite,” said André Escoval, advocating for policies that serve those in need of homes.
“Houses are not commodities; houses have a social function which is for people to live in them and, in this sense, [the government] must take measures consistent with this,” he demanded.
The housing crisis, affecting Lisbon and much of the country, is the motivation behind the protest, which gathered “hundreds” of people at Largo de Camões by 4:00 pm, indicated André Escoval, expressing confidence that participation “will grow along the way.”
The gathering was scheduled for 3:30 pm, with a march from Largo do Camões to the Arco da Rua Augusta, passing through Praça do Rossio, covering a distance of about 1.5 kilometers.
“Those who speculate, expel… those who resist, build!!!” is one of the messages on placards raised at the protest.
