Protests set for Portugal

Protests have been called for Portugal for this coming Friday to support the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd while in police custody.

in News · 03 Jun 2020, 08:39 · 29 Comments

Protesters are set to gather on Friday evening in Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra. The gathering in Lisbon is set to start outside the U.S. Embassy.

Demonstrators here have been asked to maintain social distances and to wear facemasks.

Organisers of gatherings in Portugal say they are also aimed at addressing inequalities in the country and “the myth that Portugal is not a racist country”.

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Comments

Why they don't protest in front of dictatorship countries that are killing thousands of people every year?
Portugal controlled virus very good and it's a risky movement

By Tommy from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2020, 08:52

Alguém sabe a que horas começa?

By Maria from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2020, 10:20

It is not a myth it is a fact Portugal is not a racist country I am an a racially mixed American living and working in Portugal for a long time only problem I ever had was with a mother and daughter who wanted my job and are friends with the owners and they made alot of comments and caused a lot of issues and the other person was a Canadian woman who is friends with them. That was the only time I ever experienced racism here. Portuguese people are welcoming and amazing.

By Deb from Algarve on 03 Jun 2020, 10:22

Where will the Porto protest commence and at what time, please?

By Richard from Porto on 03 Jun 2020, 10:30

There is also a demonstration scheduled for Sunday at the embassy.
Is there one that is official?
There is another one on the 6th in the Alameda.

By Archie André Cameron from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2020, 12:24

Great move! Especially since Portugal was the first to start the African slave trade in 1526, sending these poor souls to Brazil. Hopefully this will begin the movement for acknowledgement of past injustices and a move to rectify the situation by what ever means each country sees fit to implement.

By Fred from USA on 03 Jun 2020, 14:03

As an American, my advice to my Portuguese friends is to limit your protests since they have become a venue for white supremacists. They are finding ways to infiltrate, and are some of the ones causing the most damage and violence. Police are also finding cartel involved. Find a way to have completely peaceful demonstrations. To relieve tensions, I don’t suggest having one every day. Focus on meeting with officials to come up with solutions for real change, and practice respect and love.

By C. Grier from USA on 03 Jun 2020, 15:18

I think it has been moved to Saturday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA90ZZqp3-2/?igshid=wp46mglxdkty&fbclid=IwAR3xRsDXlapZmmLlr4zaxmQEdOODShWsGtwR5IeJBWWsoO0ClfF7eZAo7tI

By Sandhya from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2020, 15:30

The Police ( globally) have forgot who they are supposed to help and who pays them.
Security firm for the 1%.
Sad but true.
Read the archives from Portugal news to find how difficult it is to prosecute Police who brutalise the public.
GNR? Completely different animal.
Love Steve

By Love Steve from Alentejo on 03 Jun 2020, 18:47

To say that Portugal was the first to start the African slave trade is misleading. From a European standpoint, they were the first only because of their brilliance in navigation. Then other nations like Spain, the Netherlands, France, and, of course, Britain with its future USA colonists, jumped on board the Atlantic slave trade with no hesitations. Oh ya, all of this protesting has to do with something that happened in the USA.....I guess they still haven't "rectified their situation." The African slave trade was operating for centuries long before the Europeans arrived. The vast majority of African slaves that ended up across the Atlantic were sold to Europeans by fellow Africans.

By William from Other on 03 Jun 2020, 19:03

Yes, let's have protests like the U.S, Paris, and other places, because it has gone so well for them thus far.

Why enjoy a peaceful, beautiful country that already has significant economic issues, when we can just throw it all away for something that happened thousands of KM's away overseas, and use it as a vehicle to try find the worst in everything.

By Gama from Other on 03 Jun 2020, 19:08

Black matter, indeed am agree what you say about protugess people, am also here in this country since September 13, I don't see any racism people in Portugal, am very happy with this people's am so comfortable here

By Ousainoudaffeh03@gmail.com from Lisbon on 03 Jun 2020, 22:15

Why on Earth would anyone protest against a democratic country with an independent judiciary system?! We should mind our own business and stop pointing fingers at other countries. We Portuguese need to look at ourselves and deal with our own internal issues!

By Anna from Madeira on 04 Jun 2020, 01:59

Infirmière de 79ans ma carrière dans beaucoup de pays m’a fait vivre des conditions révoltantes où le racisme,l’antisemitisme,l’homophobie,acceptés par,la suprématie des dirigeants,arrivent aux camps d’exterminations.La violence entraîne la violence et braque toute possibilité d’ouverture aux dialogue intelligent..La non violence (exemple couchez vous sur le ventre mains dans le dos 9minutes sera un symbole de honte pour ceux qui pratiquent ces crimes)Martin Luther King et Kennedy n’ont pas pu stopper la segregation.La Force des Armes dans les mans de certains Party mènent la danse.

By Élise from Algarve on 04 Jun 2020, 02:33

I have lived most parts of eu and i certainly say portugal is not a racist country, ofcourse there are some idiots in every corner of the glob take example who is looting america now just in the name equality. Thereis, and will always be a cop like deren who justify unlawfull killings by stating never resist the arrest, i never think of using extra force to get grip of situation like america but i simply cant accept if some individual take advantage of the situation, i request portuguese gov take extreme action against any public disorder by any protester specially while we are working our day and night to controll the corona virus, ALL LIVES MATTER

By Pramod from Lisbon on 04 Jun 2020, 04:00

There is a subtle racism here but I don't think it's white vs black at all. It's against Chinese and Roma (gypsy). In all our friends and connections we know Portuguese and Brazilians and Angolans mixing together, but almost no one I know mixes with Chinese or Roma. They are often treated as "other people", and sadly I fear this anti-racism movement will completely overlook them.

By Seth Jeffery from Lisbon on 04 Jun 2020, 07:07

PLEASE REMEMBER COVID 19. These gatherings to protest are a great danger to continue spreading this deadly virus. I see what is happening in the US and I believe that in 2 to 3 weeks from now there will be an explosion of new cases and deaths. Is it worth it. Don't do it.

By Joe from Algarve on 04 Jun 2020, 07:21

Yes! Portugal is THE MOST RACIST COUNTRY I have ever lived in!

As a Brazilian, I lived there for a year and every single day I was treated like a prostitute. I was kicked out of restaurants (apparently, there were never tables available for me), I was kicked out of the finance department, at work I was accused of flirting with guests (I didn't even have contact with them when this happened as I worked on the phone), and the list goes on.

I would only be treated with respect when I spoke English, so they didn't know where I came from. Currently, I am living in another country (the 8th since I left Brazil 11 years ago), and I can say with certainty Portugal was THE ONLY PLACE where I ever experienced racism.

During my last month there, the harassment everywhere I went got under my skin so badly that I didn't leave my house for anything.

Of course I cannot generalize, there were some lovely people as well. However, now, whenever I hear a Portuguese accent I immediately run in the opposite direction. It is a place where I am never going back.

By Lolo from UK on 04 Jun 2020, 08:42

PORTUGAL is not a racist country. Portugal may be a bit poor in money terms, but I can proudly say that Portugal is rich in Love, Music, Peace, Tolerance, Family oriented and a Beautiful and Happy healthy country. Not forgetting a rich Football nation. So much so that I made Portugal my home. Come visit Seixal and see what I mean.

By Francisco Josè Godinho from Lisbon on 04 Jun 2020, 11:28

Portugal is not a racist country. Best country in Europe for black and foreign people. Eastern Europe is the worst place for non white people. Also try to avoid Spain and Italy.

By Pedro Aliu from Other on 04 Jun 2020, 12:57

Traveling to Porto today and I find it depressing that this sort of demonstration is happening there. I have found no racism in Portugal. I know racism when I see it. I have been of mixed afro Anglo race all my life and it wasn't easy growing up in Britain in the 50s 60s 70s. The fact that I am returning to Portugal at this time speaks for itself. I may not feel so comfortable in some countries but I am conformable in Portugal.

By Peter David Asige from UK on 04 Jun 2020, 14:02

Portugal is not a racist country and neither is the U.S. There may indeed be individual racists but there is no systemic racism. Both countries have laws against it. In America, a black president was put in office by white voters. Turn on the TV and one can see mayors, police chiefs, and politicians of all races. Just this week I learned our officer class in the military is 40% non-white.
In Portugal, I see priests, nuns, police, athletes, etc. of African descent. On public transport, there are mixed couples who show no sign of self consciousness or fear of harrassment.
As for slavery, America decided that issue with a civil war. While mixed couples may not be as common as in Portugal, anti-miscegenation laws have been relegated to the dust bins of history.
I see no good coming from this upcoming event. Why go looking to stir up a problem that does not exist?

By James Ross from Lisbon on 04 Jun 2020, 17:18

For all people saying that Portugal isn’t a racist country, racism can’t be generalised. It’s in individuals that believe they are, in any way, superior or better than someone else from a different race.

You might not find it in Portugal as bluntly and shamelessly as in other countries but it’s there deeply engraved in the heads of many, this coming from mixed raced young woman born and raised in Lisbon.

Let’s not forget who started the transatlantic slavery market! Yes, our Portuguese ancestors didn’t just go on discoveries of different places, they also kidnapped innocent people from Africa and sold them to the highest bidder. Hadn’t that happened we might not be here today.

Racism is a reality of every single country! All of us, everywhere should take actions like these protests and have the uncomfortable conversations so that this is not our reality anymore!

By Jessica from UK on 04 Jun 2020, 17:20

Thank you all for standing with us !!!

By Scott from USA on 04 Jun 2020, 17:42

I’m Portuguese but I’ve never known Portugal to be racist in any way or form.
Do have a peaceful march on behalf of GEORGE FLOYD there is no way that any human being should be treated the way he was.. God Bless him R.I.P GeorgE FloyD.

By Joao from UK on 05 Jun 2020, 02:13

There’s nothing wrong with showing solidarity against evil wherever it is in the world. I don’t know whether racism is an issue in Portugal because I only visited for almost a month. My experience was so positive I plan on moving there in 2022. I am an African American. I am in-love with Portugal. I found the people to be friendly and tolerant and I felt safe.

By Harriet Rougeau from USA on 05 Jun 2020, 02:20

Portugal is a peace loving country and its residents are mild mannered. I have found that racism is not an issue here in Portugal and is much less so than the US , where I am from.

By Annette Ford Rio from Lisbon on 05 Jun 2020, 08:21

Systemic racism is a global problem and Portugal is no exception.

How many black people do you see working good paying jobs in Portugal? Not many, right? Does that mean there aren't any black people here? No, there are many, but most of them live in deprived areas with few opportunities. That is systemic racism and Portugal's idea of opening a museum of 'discoveries' relating to their colonial past and slave ownership says it all. it may not be so extreme here and there are many enlightened people, but racism exists here, make no mistake. Not only that, there are racist Brits who emigrate here and bring their racism with them. It must be stamped out.

Black lives matter.

See you on the streets.

By Christopher Dickson from Lisbon on 06 Jun 2020, 11:34

From Lisbon, with love.

Since we are unable to leave our apartment and join others to manifest our rejection to the injustice and violence taking place against the USA population, we wrote a little note to our next-door neighbours: the USA Embassy in Lisbon (yes, literally, a huge fence separate our half-Mexican children from American soil).

Our 8, 12 and 15 yo children carefully chose the phrases: 'A world in silence is a world in violence' and 'The time is always ripe to do right' and wrote them in an 18m long banner that we spread across our entire balcony and right in front the US embassy.

From the Birmingham Jail, M.L. King once wrote. “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.” He was right.

We refuse to raise children that have to repent for their ignorance and their indolence. We refuse to seat at home and do nothing. So we watch, we read, discuss, we post, we share. We teach our children better. And, together, we raise our voices loud and clear. Because it matters!

By Valeria vallarta Siemelink from Lisbon on 06 Jun 2020, 20:39