- Title: Far-right takes to Lisbon streets despite coronavirus fears
- Date: 27th June 2020
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (JUNE 27, 2020) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS HOLDING BANNER READING (Portuguese) "Portugal is not racist" MAN WEARING MASK WITH PORTUGUESE FLAG AROUND HIS NECK PROTESTERS ORGANISING TO STAND AT SOCIAL DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER PROTESTER HOLDING PORTUGUESE FLAG AND WEARING A FLAG AROUND HIS SHOULDERS POSTER READING (Portuguese) "Racism is distraction" (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) FAR RIGHT PARTY LEADER, ANDRE VENTURA, SAYING: "Today will be history because after 40 years the right decided to go out on the streets. We are here to stay. Long live Portugal! Long live Portugal!" VARIOUS OF MAN HOLDING LGBT PRIDE FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) COUNTER PROTESTER, JOAO PEDRO, SAYING: "Someone has to show this ideology in 2020 is wrong and the fact they are doing this on Pride Day it is even more disrespectful. It might just be me but I think at least one person had to be here." PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING POLICEMEN PROTESTERS MARCHING CHANTING " Portugal is not racist" MAN WITH PORTUGUESE FLAG CHANTING " Portugal, Portugal" / PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PROTESTER, JORGE BRITES, SAYING: "We are not under lockdown, we are outdoors, we know the virus dies under a certain temperature, we are social distancing, we have masks and I believe we are complying with all rules." POLICE VAN / MARCH IN PROGRESS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING PROTESTER WEARING FACE MASK AND CAP WITH PORTUGUESE SYMBOL WOMAN SITTING AND WATCHING PROTESTERS PASSING BY MAN FILMING PROTESTERS WITH HIS PHONE PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING (Portuguese) " Political elite, Portugal is not racist" PROTESTERS MARCHING AND CHANTING "Portugal, Portugal" (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PROTESTER, ELSA ABREU, SAYING: " I'm here because the government is not doing its best and because Portugal isn't racist." PROTESTERS MARCHING HOLDING BANNER READING (Portuguese) " All lives matter" PROTESTERS CHANTING WAVING PORTUGUESE FLAGS PROTESTERS GATHERED
- Embargoed: 11th July 2020 18:00
- Keywords: Chega party Lisbon protests Portugal is not racist Portugal protests anti-racism coronavirus far right
- Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Race Relations / Ethnic Issues,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001CK5A4W7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Hundreds of protesters marched through one of Lisbon's main avenues and shouted "Portugal is not racist" on Saturday (June 27) in a demonstration organised by the leader of far-right party Chega, known for his derogatory remarks about ethnic minorities.
The protest took place at a time when Portuguese authorities are worried about a wave of new coronavirus cases across Lisbon's suburbs, and were forced to bring back some lockdown measures.
"We are outdoors, we know the virus dies under a certain temperature, we are social distancing, we have masks and I believe we are complying with all rules," said Chega supporter Joao Rodrigues.
Dozens of police officers patrolled the streets as protesters wearing face masks marched and waved Portuguese flags.
The march came around three weeks after thousands gathered in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities in protest against racism and alleged police brutality.
Last October, Chega (Enough) party leader Andre Ventura, a former soccer commentator, won the far-right's first seat since Portugal's dictatorship ended in 1974.
"Today will be history because after 40 years the right decided to go out on the streets," Chega, who has been involved in several controversies since the October election, told a crowd of supporters.
In January, Ventura called for a Black fellow MP with dual Portuguese-Guinean citizenship to be "returned to her own country" after she proposed items in Portuguese museums obtained from former colonies should be returned to their countries of origin.
A month later, Ventura questioned if Porto striker Moussa Marega, who left the pitch in protest after being subjected to monkey chants and other insults during the match, was a victim of racism.
Among the crowd of far-rightists at the Saturday protest, a 27-year-old man stood alone and waved the rainbow LGBT+ pride flag in a protest against Chega and its supporters.
"Someone has to show this ideology in 2020 is wrong," Joao Pedro said. "It might just be me but I think at least one person had to be here."
(Production: Miguel Pereira, Catarina Demony) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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