Hundreds of people take to Porto’s streets in opposing protests

Two protests by opposing factions brought hundreds of people on the streets of Porto on Saturday. One was against illegal immigration and insecurity, while the other against fascism and racism.

The first, organised by far-right party Chega, gathered hundreds of people who marched down the streets to Avenida dos Aliados, the city’s main events square, on what its leader André Ventura again called a “historic day”. Security around Ventura was high.

“Whether they’re white, yellow, black or blue, we know what they’re coming for,” said Ventura. “We’re not prepared to be invaded,” he added in his speech to hundreds of people waving national flags and placards against uncontrolled immigration, which they consider to be a cause of street crime.

The Chega leader demanded “more security and control of immigration in a country where immigrants have increased by 95 per cent in the last two years,” he said speaking to the press.

Speaking to local media during the protest, Ventura said “Portugal needs immigrants who come here to work, we don’t need them coming here to commit crimes. Portugal, like all decent countries, has to control its borders, and so far it hasn’t.”

Some Chega supporters wore “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) hats, similar to those seen in US President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign rallies.

Channelling similar rhetoric to Trump, Ventura said: “The next government, which I hope to lead, will tell everyone who is here and commits crimes that they will get a Christmas present, they will get a ticket back to their country of origin and they will pay for that ticket… You can’t eat cats, dogs or lizards. This is our country… We are in charge here,” he told his supporters.

According to a member of the Chega party, around 900 people took part in the demonstration in Porto. Many travelled by bus from Lisbon, Setúbal, Faro, Leiria, Braga and Vila Real, according to Lusa news agency.

‘The world has no borders’

The second demonstration, which was in response to the one organised by Chega, was organised by 28 social organisation which brought together feminist, anti-fascist, anti-racist and pro-LGBTQ+ movements to support housing for immigrants and their regularisation.

The counter-demonstration took place in Campo 24 de Agosto, a square not far from the Chega protest. Around 700 people loudly chanted against racism and anti-fascism. “No more hate speech,” one protester told the SIC television channel.

The protesters demanded that immigrants have the right to regularisation, and argue that they are not the cause of insecurity in Portuguese society. “It’s not immigrants who make us afraid on the street,” the same protester added added.

“Portugal is a country of immigrants and is therefore for everyone – we need them and they need us. The world has no borders,” another protester told state television channel RTP.

The past year saw a 33% rise in the number of foreigners living in Portugal, where more than one million immigrants are living legally in the country, according to a report published by the government in June.