Portuguese police clear Lisbon housing protest camp, arrest demonstrators

Portuguese police cleared a housing protest camp in central Lisbon early Sunday, charging demonstrators and making several arrests, with minor injuries reported. The action targeted over 100 tents pitched after a Saturday protest march. The camp in Rossio Square was dismantled after police warned protesters to remove tents or face disobedience charges. The action was called "completely disproportionate" by Left Bloc lawmaker Fabian Figueiredo, who noted there had been no public disorder. Portugal faces an acute housing crisis, with prices more than doubled since 2017 and a national shortfall of 300,000 homes. Protesters demand scrapping a bill easing evictions and ending rent caps, following similar demonstrations across Europe.