People had already gathered at Arco da Porta Nova in Braga city center before the arrival of the Chega leader, engaging in provocative exchanges with party leaders and supporters present at the location. The event was the scheduled start point for a noontime march.
Waving flags representing the Roma community and anti-Nazi movements, the group shouted accusations of racism and fascism. “Long live April 25th, long live freedom,” they declared, identifying themselves as Portuguese citizens.
In response, Chega’s delegation chanted slogans endorsing the party, such as “Chega, Chega” and “Portugal is ours,” while waving Chega and Portuguese flags.
Tensions escalated upon the arrival of André Ventura when someone spat in his direction from a distance, making contact with the Chega leader.
At this juncture, shouting intensified from both sides, with Ventura countering accusations of racism by telling the group they “need to work.”
He stated that individuals from the Roma community “cannot traverse the country attempting to obstruct Chega from campaigning,” and accused them of trying to silence, attack, and offend.
Ventura also suggested that these individuals are “planted.” “We continue to have a group of Roma, sometimes the same individuals, traveling around the country. They must be organized. Whether it’s the community itself or left-wing parties, I’m unsure. I know they’re organized and planted,” he asserted.
When asked if he fears these situations might recur, Ventura expressed hope that, “for the safety of all,” such incidents will not happen again. “We are doing our part too. But as you can imagine, I cannot ask the Roma community to leave me alone,” he said.
Concluding the march, André Ventura addressed his supporters, urging them not to “be intimidated” and claiming to be “persecuted” for his intent to “change the country.”
“We are not afraid,” he shouted, echoed by his audience.
Before Ventura’s arrival, Chega’s lead candidate for Braga, Filipe Melo, confronted the protesters, who told him directly, “Go away, fascist,” asserting their right to protest.
“Even I am surprised that someone like you, a serious man, is in a party that lies and is disrespectful,” commented Célio Maia, who stated he knows the deputy, as the group continued shouting insults around them.
In this heightened moment, the deputy refuted the allegation, asserting the group’s right to protest but not “the right to insult anyone.”
Speaking to journalists, Célio Maia claimed that Chega opposes the Roma community and said Ventura uses this “as a weapon.”
At another point, the group chanted “PS, PS,” but some members told journalists they vote AD and called Luís Montenegro “a great man.”
A man identifying as Beto Bethoven stated he opposes future generations experiencing racism, asserting that supporters of Chega “harbor fascism within.” He accused Chega and Ventura of “inciting hatred” and warned about the potential for a “civil war in the country.”
“We, the Roma, if united, is not a good thing,” he added, while emphasizing that they are now “at peace.”
Earlier, during a march in Aveiro, Ventura’s group encountered a small gathering of Roma individuals who similarly accused him of racism and urged him not to fuel animosity against their community.
