Activists seize the ministries of infrastructure and environment. There are at least three detainees.

This Friday, the Student Climate Strike Movement occupied the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Ministry of the Environment to protest “the inaction of government and institutions in ending the use of fossil fuels.” The demonstration started in Largo Camões and so far one youth has suffered a head injury and the PSP has detained at least three students.

According to Lusa Matilde Alvim, leader of the Student Climate Strike movement, the arrests of the Ministry of Infrastructure activists were carried out by the Special Police Unit (UEP) of the PSP with instructions, not yet officially confirmed, that the young people would be taken to the Penha de France police stations in Lisbon.

Matilda Alvim reported that the movement will immediately hold a picket in the place where the detained activists will be transported.

The arrests, which the leader of the movement spoke about, occurred after a group of students from the Ministry of the Environment were met in the morning by riot police, who carried and took the student to the hospital; three arrests were also made.

At the same time, according to the same sources, police approached three underage students, searched them and seized their bags. The group’s press officer stopped and said that such a procedure was illegal, she was handcuffed and taken to the police station.

The rest of the demonstration, along with the Environment Ministry, headed to the Bairro Alto police station to support their detained colleagues, activists said. As they were about to turn the corner, a dozen police officers stopped the demonstration and another student was arrested.

About 50 young activists marched shortly after 11.30am to the Environment Ministry, but the march was momentarily interrupted when police searched three protesters and confiscated two “pyrotechnic devices” and a bag of paint.

The parade continued with slogans against the exploitation of fossil energy, and while marching along Rua do Seculo, near the Ministry of the Environment, protesters managed to release red, green and black smoke from devices similar to those confiscated. from PSP.

“Time is running out. The government must take action now, otherwise we could reach a point of no return in a few years,” says Beatrice Xavier. “Divesting from fossil gas is an important first step to securing our future. Ignoring this is a crime and makes this government illegitimate,” he added.

In a statement sent to the editorial office, the students claim that three have already been searched. The students are refusing to leave until the government commits to creating a public renewable energy service that will guarantee their needs, according to a plan they have already submitted to the environment ministry.

At about 12:00 p.m., a PSP agent warned command that if the situation continued, “a different type of force would have to be used,” and a few minutes later a team from the Prevention and Immediate Response Team (EPRI) arrived.

Activists have held demonstrations and actions demanding an end to the use of fossil fuels by 2030 and a transition to 100% renewable and affordable electricity by 2025, ensuring that this is the last winter that fossil fuels are used in Portugal.

This Friday, the students intended to “occupy” the Ministry of the Environment in what they called a “study visit.” A young climate activist was shot in the head today and three were detained by the PSP during a protest.