LISBON: Following a week of unrest sparked by officers’ shooting of a black man, thousands protested on Saturday in Lisbon against police racism and force.
The peaceful protesters held placards with slogans such as “Racism kills” and “Black lives matter” as they marched peacefully down the central avenue of the Portuguese capital. They chanted “No peace without justice” and “Police violence, colonial heritage.” Violence in the city is uncommon in Portugal.
However, following the murder of a 43-year-old man from Cape Verde, a former Portuguese colony in Africa, on Sunday night, several down-at-heel neighborhoods with large immigrant communities have seen clashes in the last week.
According to the police, Odair Moniz attacked officers with a knife and was shot to death while attempting to flee. Several reports in the media have since cast doubt on that account. According to reports from Portuguese media, the 20-year-old police officer who shot Moniz twice has since been charged with manslaughter.
Luis Gomes, a 30-year-old protester who lives in Moniz’s same neighborhood, said, “Odair was a good father, someone who was appreciated by his whole community.”
“We don’t pass judgment on individuals by the shade of their skin. Although the police need to be better prepared, I am aware that it is challenging for them. Gomez, a private security guard, added, “No one has the right to kill anyone.”
“Saddened by all this,” said Cape Verdean 58-year-old Jose Rosa, who has lived in Portugal since childhood. He said, adding that he regretted the violence of the previous week, “This is not the first time one of our young people has been killed and there is no justice.”
Portugal’s extreme right Chega party, which made new gains in Spring’s parliamentary decisions, had required a counter-showing in fortitude with the police for Saturday. The media reported that around 200 people attended.
