Thousands of PSP and GNR members marched this Wednesday between Largo do Carmo and the Assembly of the Republic in an almost silent march, interrupted from time to time by applause, whistling and the singing of the anthem.
It is estimated that about 15 thousand members of the PSP and GNR took part in the protests, making this demonstration historic.
The first protesters arrived at the Assembly of the Republic at about 19:30, an hour after they started their journey, and the end of the demonstration was still far away, in Calçada do Combro.
In front of the Assembly of the Republic, protesters shouted: “The unified police will never be defeated.”
When the parade arrived in parliament square, it was applauded by hundreds of other security forces waiting for them.
Also applauded was PSP agent Pedro Costa, whose name was chanted several times, who only more than two weeks ago began a protest in front of the Assembly of the Republic and led to a movement that spread to the rest of the country.
This Wednesday’s demonstration was organized by a platform made up of seven public security police unions and four National Republican Guard associations.
This platform was created to demand a review of security force pay allowances, and the protest comes in the wake of a “fight for the dignity of PSP and GNR careers, which trade unions and associations say the government has ignored, with the “final ax” being the secondary processing of PSP and GNR in addition to PJ’s mission.”
Protesters began moving toward the Assembly of the Republic around 6:30 p.m., and a banner reading “Police United” hangs in front of the parade.
Most of the protesters, men, wear black shirts, some with Portuguese flags visible.
PSP police officers and GNR soldiers have been protesting across the country for more than two weeks, but this Wednesday’s demonstration is designed to attract more attention and is organized by a platform of police unions and garda associations.
Bruno Pereira of Plataforma and president of the National Police Union told Lusa that the large turnout at the protest showed the degree of discontent among security force professionals.
The official emphasized that there were other non-police organizations that had joined the cause, which “goes beyond the police and is a national matter.”
Bruno Pereira stressed the importance of the “fundamental pillar” that is the security forces, said that the police cannot accept being treated the way they have been treated so far, and stressed that it is important for the parties to engage in dialogue with platform and took action. at the request of the police as a matter of priority.
Bruno Pereira said that meetings with some parties have already been planned.
This is the first time the union representing PSP officers has attended a police demonstration and Bruno Pereira believes the officers’ presence is important.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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