Storm Can't Stop Porto Housing Protest: Campers Defy Rain in D. João I Square
📌 Key Highlights & Context
- Protesters actively cleared rainwater from the square to keep the camp area dry during the storm.
- Movement spokesperson Ana Mendonça rejected the Mayor's claim that the square was being 'privatized' by a small group.
- All 18 districts of mainland Portugal are under a yellow weather alert for heavy rain and storms.
Defying the Storm for Housing Rights
The ongoing protests against the housing crisis in Portugal, which began in Porto on October 10th, have expanded to Lisbon and other cities. Despite forecasts of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds, the 'Acampada do Porto' (Porto Camp) voted to remain in D. João I Square. By 9:00 PM, more than 70 tents were set up in the square, demonstrating the protesters' determination.
Political Tensions and Public Space
As reported by Lusa, protesters were seen using buckets and mops to clear accumulated rainwater from the square before the final decision was made in a popular assembly. Ana Mendonça, a spokesperson for the movement, stated that the demonstrators would remain 'united and firm' in front of the Municipal Rivoli Theatre. She responded to comments by Porto Mayor Pedro Duarte, who argued that the square 'deserves to be lived in by all Porto residents and cannot be privatized by a specific group.' Mendonça challenged this view, asserting that the use of a public square for public purposes is not privatization, and emphasized that the movement represents a broad social concern rather than an 'ultra-minority' issue.