“Where Will I Stay Now?”: Loures Council Forcibly Demolishes Shacks Amid Strong Opposition

While the machine advanced, intervention police pushed dozens of residents from the Bairro do Talude Militar to allow the demolition of a shack. “Where will people sleep tonight?” was the cry as the machine moved forward, swiftly tearing down the makeshift structure of sheet metal and wood.

Watching with tears in her eyes was Hedmaura Costa, 36. This was her home, where she lived with a friend and her 4-year-old daughter. It was the place she returned to daily after work at a restaurant. The São Tomé native arrived in this Loures neighborhood a year ago, living in a shack because she couldn’t afford rent for an apartment or even a room. “And now, where will I stay?” she asked, her voice breaking, her movements frozen in uncertainty.

The Loures Municipal Council proceeded with demolitions in the Unhos neighborhood this Monday, following the dismantling of dozens of shacks two weeks prior. Last Friday, a notice warned residents of about 60 precarious structures that demolitions would commence within 48 hours, a situation highlighted by the Vida Justa movement on Saturday.

Despite strong opposition from residents who gathered to prevent the demolitions—chanting, “No one leaves here,” and “We won’t leave our homes”—the council moved forward. Over 20 intervention police officers and municipal agents were present. The first shack demolished was Hedmaura’s, where she and others had barricaded themselves. Police pushed through, forcibly removing Hedmaura, her friend, and the 4-year-old child.

Hedmaura’s friend, holding the child, lamented, “I’m on the street with a 4-year-old girl…” Hedmaura described her fear during the police entry: “They pushed me out of my home!” Now homeless, with no family in Portugal, she faces an uncertain night. Her belongings, including clothes, appliances, and mattresses, were left exposed amid debris from prior demolitions.

Many residents, mostly from São Tomé, watched anonymously, calling for embassy intervention. One unnamed resident has sheltered three people left homeless by earlier demolitions, stating, “We just want time to organize—maybe six months… Then we’ll leave.” He cited unaffordable housing prices in Portugal relative to his income.

The Loures Council confirmed demolishing 65 illegal structures in Talude Militar as part of its “policy against illegal land occupation.” Of these, 56 housed 103 adults and 58 minors, with 43% of households registered outside Loures. Nine families remained unidentified.