Choir attempts to sing President out of silence over housing protests

A choir group gathered last night in front of the President of the Republic’s home, in Caldas da Rainha, to sing protest songs and demand that António José Seguro take a stance

According to Jornal das Caldas, the Coro Social do Bairro (loosely translated into ‘neighbourhood choir’) sang several symbolic songs that fit with the recent wave of protests for the right to housing.

At around 10pm, around 30 members gathered near António José Seguro’s residence, in the town, to demand not only that the President of the Republic take a stance on the protests, but also concrete action in response to the housing crisis.

One of the songs heard was “I Saw These People Fighting (Confederation)”, by José Mário Branco. 

The choir also sang part of a statement read by protesters in Rossio, in Lisbon, during the demonstrations: “Show your face/Open your mouth Mr President/Break the silence that is killing us/That kills us/Show your face/Leave your home, come out into the streets/Our streets, our squares/Encampments”.

The choir eventually dispersed into the cold after a few minutes and “without any disturbance”.

But the President of the Republic remained silent

The encampments for the right to housing began in Porto on October 10 and then spread to Lisbon and other town and cities. Since then, António José Seguro has called for compliance with the law, and also for an agreement between the government and the opposition to adopt urgent and lasting measures for housing.

However, he has said little else since about protests that have been taking place on a regular basis for more than two weeks; nothing at all on the police crackdowns, which have been questioned because of their violence. 

On Monday, the Inspectorate-General of Internal Administration opened an investigation following police interventions that took place in the early hours of Sunday, both in Rossio, in Lisbon, and in Praça D. João I, in Porto. Yet, despite requests and entreaties from various sides, the Head of State has yet to comment on what happened that night (that saw dozens injured).

One of the calls for a response came from the honorary committee of Seguro’s own presidential campaign. Several members of the committee have asked the President to break his silence – this far to no avail.

Source material: SIC Notícias