Portuguese Police Dismantle Housing Protest Camps in Lisbon and Porto, Arresting Over 30

Portuguese police cleared housing protest camps in central Lisbon and Porto early Sunday, arresting more than 30 people and using batons against campaigners. Officers removed at least 100 tents in Lisbon and about 50 in Porto, escalating days of clashes over the country’s deepening housing crisis. The protests, inspired by similar camps in Spain, aimed to draw attention to soaring rents and a lack of affordable housing. The crackdown has sparked debate over the right to protest versus public order, as Portugal grapples with one of Europe’s most acute housing shortages. With housing costs rising faster than wages, the demonstrations reflect growing frustration among residents who feel priced out of their own cities. The arrests mark a significant escalation in the government’s response to the movement, which shows no signs of fading.