Violent death of black man causes two days of disturbances in Lisbon

The Portuguese capital of Lisbon and its surroundings faced two nights of disturbances with more than ten vehicles set on fire the day after the violent death of cook Odair Moniz, 43 years old. He was popular in the neighborhood where he lived.

According to the Public Security Police (PSP), the black man was killed on Monday morning (21) by police shooting when he tried to attack officers with a knife in the Cova de Moura neighborhood, in Amadora.

Moniz, who was from Cape Verde, a former colony of Portugal, worked in a restaurant and owned a coffee shop.

Around 60 incidents were recorded in various neighborhoods in the capital of Portugal. Two police officers were stoned and their vehicles were damaged, as well as buses and motorcycles were set on fire.

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Representative Fabian Figueiredo, president of the Left Bloc Parliamentary Group, asked that everyone in that country be treated equally based on the rule of law.

“It is not possible that there are areas where the police kill more and violate the law more than others,” he said.

The parliamentarian notes that being black in Portugal increases the likelihood of being fatally shot by security forces 21 times.

“The populations of Lisbon’s urban areas, racialized people, deserve equal treatment before the State, they deserve to be full citizens. The permanent stigmatization that is carried out has this type of outcome”, he says.

The deputy also says that a peace solution requires Justice. “Justice for the family who saw their home invaded. And we demand clarification from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is incomprehensible that a grieving family sees their home invaded by 15 special police officers, who enter heavily armed and hooded. And unidentified”, he denounces.

For him, the country needs a police force in tune with the rule of law. “Who gave this order? Why did the police decide to break down that family’s door? What was the opportunity for this police action? This is a provocative action”, he says.

Fabian states that people need to feel that they are equal before the law. “And that is what will result in calm, reconciliation. This and several legislative changes, in addition to the public investment that needs to be made in these communities”, he argues.