Hundreds gathered in Lisbon this Saturday to protest for housing rights, a movement spearheaded by the platform Casa para Viver. The demonstration, part of a nationwide weekend of protests across 13 cities, aimed to pressure the government into addressing the housing crisis.
André Escoval, a spokesperson for the organization, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We are facing an extremely grave situation in our country." The EU has already recommended rent control and limits on local accommodation to the Portuguese government, yet no action has been taken.
Key demands include the implementation of an emergency housing policy that prioritizes living over speculation. "Houses are not commodities; they have a social function—to provide homes for people," Escoval argued.
The protest, which began at Largo de Camões, saw "several hundred" participants by 4 PM, with numbers expected to grow. The march proceeded to Arco da Rua Augusta, covering 1.5 kilometers, with chants like "April demands homes to live in" and "Lower rents, raise wages."
Notable attendees included former deputy Helena Roseta, who championed the first Housing Basis Law in 2019, and representatives from PCP, BE, and Livre parties. The event highlighted the growing discontent among citizens forced to choose between paying rent or buying food.
This weekend, cities including Aveiro, Braga, and Porto will also host protests, presenting a unified Emergency Claim Notebook to tackle the housing crisis.
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