Tens of thousands of people marched in more than 30 cities and towns across Portugal on Saturday in the biggest protest so far against surging housing prices that many complain have put owning or renting a home beyond their reach.
The housing crisis has brought weeks of demonstrations, with some activists camping out in main downtown squares in Lisbon and Porto, Portugal's capital and its second-largest city. Riot police with dogs have broken up some of the protests, bringing accusations of heavy-handed tactics. Protests in recent weeks took their cue from demonstrations that began in neighbouring Spain last month over similar complaints about unaffordable housing. European countries have witnessed widespread social unrest in the streets this autumn. Saturday's protests in Portugal took place under the slogan, “We won't let them steal our right to housing.” Participants walking behind large banners and flags ranged from teenagers to retired people, with the Lisbon march punctuated by drums, music and chanting.