Portugal police clear housing camps, 33 hurt, 31 held
Police in Lisbon and Porto cleared housing camps overnight Sunday. A revised tally put injuries at at least 33 and detentions at 31, Diário de Notícias said. The Guardian and Euronews also covered the dawn raids in day-of coverage this week.
Police in Lisbon and Porto cleared housing-protest camps in the early hours of Sunday. The Guardian, Euronews, and Diário de Notícias reported the raids. Officers moved shortly after two in the morning on more than 100 tents in Lisbon's Rossio Square and a smaller camp of about 50 tents in Porto's Dom João I Square, police said. Campaigners had pitched the camps to protest housing prices that have soared past average incomes.
Diário de Notícias said a revised police balance put injuries at at least 33 protesters nationwide and detentions at 31 for alleged disobedience, after Lisbon hospitals confirmed 27 people treated. An earlier police figure had put injuries near 11, including three officers. The Guardian said police called the actions proportionate and said they had urged people to leave. Casa Para Viver contested early injury counts and said officers used batons, dogs, and rubber bullets. Reuters reported that 25 people held in Lisbon were released with orders to appear in court Monday.
Portugal's housing squeeze has driven street marches and copycat camps inspired by Spanish protests. Clearing central squares ends the overnight occupations but not the rent fight. Courts will see the disobedience cases as the political argument continues.
Mayors and national leaders face pressure to show both order and housing relief. Activist groups say batons will not build apartments. Police say they will not let camps block main squares. The revised injury count from DN is the figure Ops locked for the headline.
What we know: Revised police figures cited by Diário de Notícias put injuries at at least 33 and detentions at 31 after the Lisbon and Porto clearances.
What we don't: Final medical tallies after all hospital reviews, and any lasting bans on new camps.
Where outlets agree The Guardian, Euronews, and Diário de Notícias report police clearing Lisbon and Porto housing camps, with DN citing a revised tally of at least 33 injured and 31 detained.
Where they differ Police called the clearances proportionate after urging people to leave, while Casa Para Viver contested early injury figures and said officers used batons, dogs, and rubber bullets.