Porto housing protest halted over far-right infiltrator fears

A housing rights protest in Porto was abruptly demobilized early Friday morning after organizers claimed far-right infiltrators with knives were present among the crowd. The movement's spokesperson ordered an immediate dispersal around 1:20 a.m., citing the safety risk. Organizers stated they identified roughly 11 infiltrators, including one man taken by emergency services, and reported the weapons to police, who they say took no action. The decision came after hundreds had gathered overnight following a police charge Thursday that left dozens injured, with the group now calling for renewed mobilization on Saturday. The protest movement demands rent law changes, an end to evictions, a ban on corporate property purchases, more public housing, and rent caps. Authorities defended the earlier police intervention as necessary, while political leaders offered differing responses, with the prime minister rejecting instability claims and the president acknowledging protesters' rights.