Several hundred people gathered this Saturday at Praça dos Poveiros in Porto to “fight fascism” and express solidarity with the immigrant community.
Shouting slogans such as “April 25th always, fascism never again” and “Fascists, your time has come, immigrants stay and you go”, about 500 people responded to the call of associations and gathered in Praça dos Poveiros to “fight fascism ” racism and xenophobia.”
“It is possible and necessary to fight the narratives of the far right, whose only function is to turn the Portuguese against immigrants,” said Luse Alexandre Alexandre, a member of the Housing Organization this Saturday, one of the associations responsible for the demonstration.
A few hours before the start of the far-right demonstration in Plaza D. João I, Alexandre lamented the lack of responses to the open letter and noted that this Saturday “presents risks and dangers for those who are most marginalized in society.”
Armed with red carnations and united in chants, the hundreds quickly became thousands, and from Dos Poveiros Square to Praça da Batalha Square they chanted: “There are many, many thousands of us to continue April.”
Fahad Uddin and Kabir, originally from Bangladesh, have been living in Porto for six months. They understand little Portuguese, but do not hesitate to defend that “everyone has the right to be free and choose where they want to live.”
Like Fahad and Kabir, Barbara Molnar also joined the protesters. Raising the microphone, he recorded the rhythm of the chant: “We are more against fascism.”
Having lived in Porto for a year and a half, the Brazilian proved to Lusa the importance of “the fight for freedom taking to the streets” in the year of the 50th anniversary on April 25th.
“The far right says that immigrants are the reason for the lack of housing in Portugal, although it is immigrants who suffer most from the conditions in which they find themselves,” he recalled.
Since Barbara Cunha was already living outside the country, she did not hesitate to show her support for the community to which she once belonged.
“It is very important to show that immigrants are safe in Portugal,” he said, noting that it is equally important to “fight for freedom.”
As protesters moved through the streets of Porto, some took photographs, filmed videos or peered into windows and balconies out of curiosity.
“Workers united against exploitation”, “Racism is no joke” and “Racists and fascists are out of here” were some of the posters put up by protesters.
After walking along Passeio de São Lázaro, Rua de D. João IV, Avenida Rodrigues and Rua Alexandre Herculano, the protesters arrived at Praça da Batalha at 17:00, which seemed small for thousands of people.
“Let’s not let history repeat itself,” read one poster leaning against a fountain in the square.
No incidents were reported along the route, PSP agents on site confirmed to Lusa.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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