Portuguese police cleared a housing protest camp from the centre of Lisbon in the early hours of Sunday, charging demonstrators and making several arrests, with minor injuries reported, though figures were not immediately available, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Duke FM

Shortly after 2 a.m., dozens of officers, some with police dogs, moved in on the camp in Rossio Square, after warning protesters to remove their tents or face their dismantling, and threatening disobedience charges for those who resisted, Reuters reported. Protesters had pitched more than 100 tents after Saturday's protest march by thousands along one of the capital's main avenues, and hundreds gathered to protect the encampment after police dismantled a similar camp there on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Duke FM

100+Tents pitched in Rossio Square after Saturday's march, Reuters reported
300,000Homes shortfall nationwide estimated by the Bank of Portugal — equal to Lisbon's entire housing stock, Reuters reported
2x+Rise in Portuguese house prices since 2017; rents for new leases have nearly doubled, Reuters reported

Portugal is grappling with one of Europe's most acute home affordability crises, as prices have more than doubled since 2017, while rents for new leases have nearly doubled, with young people among the hardest hit, Reuters reported. 'We have an obligation to fight for what we believe in,' said one marcher, Vitor Gomes, 21, a multimedia communications student, adding that housing speculation, wealth concentration and rising inequality made him pessimistic about the future, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Duke FM

The police action was 'completely disproportionate', Left Bloc lawmaker Fabian Figueiredo said before the action, as there had been no public disorder, Reuters reported. 'The worst thing that could happen tonight was having this police force charge hundreds of people who are here peacefully. Why?' asked Figueiredo, who was at the camp, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Duke FM

The Lisbon march was part of a wider weekend of demonstrations across Europe over housing, pensions and the cost of living: in Portugal the main demand was affordable housing, people marched in Lisbon continuing a movement that began on October 10 in Porto, and protesters also opposed new policies from Prime Minister Luis Montenegro that would weaken a limit on annual rent increases and make it easier to evict people unable to pay rent, according to reporting citing The Resident and AP.

Source: Europe protests roundup citing The Resident and AP

Protesters say soaring rents and higher living costs are squeezing households and turning housing into a growing source of discontent, with young people among those hardest hit, Reuters reported. The Bank of Portugal estimates a shortfall of 300,000 homes nationwide, equivalent to Lisbon's entire housing stock, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters via Duke FM