Far-right takes to Lisbon streets to deny racism is a problem in Portugal

Hundreds of protesters marched through one of Lisbon’s main avenues this weekend shouting “Portugal is not racist”, in a demonstration organised by the leader of a far-right political party known for his derogatory remarks against ethnic minorities.

Dozens of police officers were on standby as protesters wearing face masks marched and waved Portuguese flags in the demonstration organised by the leader of the Chega (Enough) party Andre Ventura, a former football commentator. There were no immediate reports of violence or arrests, but social distancing wasn’t exactly a main priority, with many people standing closer together than the recommended 2m.

In October of last year, Ventura won the far right’s first seat in parliament since Salazar’s dictatorship ended in 1974.

“Today will be history because after 40 years the right decided to go out on the streets,” Ventura, who has been involved in several controversies since the 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 that items in Portuguese museums be sent back to their countries of origin.

A month later, Ventura questioned if Porto striker Moussa Marega, who quit a soccer match in protest after being subjected to monkey chants and other insults, was a victim of racism.

Saturday’s protests took place at a time when Portuguese authorities are worried about a wave of new coronavirus cases across Lisbon’s suburbs and have been forced to reintroduce certain 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.

The march came around three weeks after thousands gathered in Lisbon and other Portuguese cities in protest against racism and alleged police brutality, and were ironically criticized by far-right commentators for hosting social gathering in the midst of a pandemic.

Among the crowd of right-wingers at the Saturday demonstration, a 27-year-old man stood alone and waving a rainbow pride flag in protest. “Someone has to show this ideology in 2020 is wrong,” Joao Pedro said.