Outside the auditorium of the University of Lisbon’s law faculty, shouts rang out: “Without a future there is no peaceInside, a young activist threw green paint at the Minister of Finance, Fernando Medina. During a presentation session of the 2024 state budget (OE2024), the government official became the latest target of climate activists – who have already promised not to dwell on this, after having already taken several actions in recent weeks.
Despite the initial shock, Medina even joked about the situation after being hit: “At least I know that I am in favor of the increase in the IUC,” he said, referring to the increase in the Single Circulation Tax, which will follow will come into force every year, and will take into account a climate component (in addition to the engine capacity of the vehicle). After the activist was immediately removed from the room (but war cries could be heard inside), Medina continued the presentation, after clearing up. Ultimately he argued that Universities should be a space ‘free and open on all issues’, where ‘freedom and tolerance on the most diverse types of manifestations’ spread.
In a statement, the Student Climate Strike (responsible for the protest), through Beatriz Xavier’s spokesperson, said: “This was yet another protest against the government’s ‘refusal to make the just transition that guarantees we have a future’. remark, the movement promises to occupy the Ministry of Environment on the 24th (Tuesday) and on November 13 it will undertake a “wave of actions”, “shutting down schools and institutions”.
The President of the Republic stated that this type of action, in the Portuguese context, represents “a truly ineffective criticism”. “And repetition takes away the element of surprise,” he also said, emphasizing that “there are other ways to fight or make proposals, and criticism can be made.” The Fernando Medina incident is nothing new (both in form and content), as on September 26, Duarte Cordeiro, Minister of Environment and Climate Action, was also attacked with green paint, during a CNN Portugal conference. On that occasion, the minister said that “intolerance does not make other people more aware of our arguments, nor does it serve to silence others, nor does it serve to intimidate those who hold public positions.”
Three activists convicted
The protest against Medina took place on the same day that three young activists from the Climáximo movement were convicted of impairing road safety.
The three activists were each sentenced to one year in prison, but the fine was replaced by the payment of five euros per day, for 120 days (a total fine of 600 euros).
These activists were arrested in Lisbon on October 4 when they held up a banner warning against the climate emergency for 20 minutes, blocking Lisbon’s Rua de São Bento, during a previously unauthorized protest. They were also accused of qualified disobedience, but the court decided to acquit the young women because it understood that this did not apply in this specific case. As the judge explained: the framework for the crime in question, in the context of a demonstration, dates back to 1974 and is a “diploma that is now outdated”.
Some actions
Inks Duarte Cordeiro
It was the first incident of its kind, on September 26. The Minister for the Environment and Climate Action was speaking at a CNN Portugal event and was hit with paint.
Painted FIL facade
The next day (September 27), a group of activists interrupted the World Aviation Festival in FIL Lisbon and painted the facade of the building with red paint.
Cutting off roads
On October 3 and 4, climate activists blocked roads in Lisbon. First it was the second circular, then the Rua de São Bento.
The REN facade
On October 7, Climáximo activists shattered the glass on the facade of the Rede Energética Nacional (REN) headquarters in Lisbon.
The TAP plane
Last Wednesday there was another protest: this time two activists stuck themselves in a TAP plane, which would fly between Lisbon and Porto, and called for an end to CO2 emissions and a greater commitment to rail, for example.
Source: DN
