Police Clear Portugal Housing Camps, Detain 55

Portuguese police cleared housing-protest camps in Lisbon and Porto before dawn Tuesday, detaining 55 people in Lisbon and seizing 228 camping structures. The PSP operation began around 05:45 at Rossio and Praça D. João I. Vans gave protesters five to ten minutes to disperse. In Lisbon, protesters formed a human chain and resisted; objects were thrown and officers used batons as the Special Unit expelled the camp. Porto protesters dismantled their own tents and complied without coercive force. The Lisbon camp had stood since Saturday; Porto's about 10 days. PSP called the action necessary and proportionate and said two people sustained minor injuries. Superintendent Sergio Soares described it as calm, with no police charge. Spokespersons Priscila Valadão and Carla Valadao called it very aggressive; protesters put injuries far higher. Detainees were to be brought before a judicial authority. Demonstrators oppose a bill easing evictions and ending rent caps on new leases, which passed a first reading with Chega's abstention. Purchase prices have more than doubled since 2017 and new-lease rents nearly doubled. A further protest was set for Rossio at 19:00 Tuesday.