Portuguese artists join housing rights protests

Portuguese artists Beatriz Godinho and Gisela João have expressed strong support for ongoing housing rights demonstrations in Portugal. Godinho, speaking on SIC Notícias, described the protests as legitimate and necessary, noting the difficulty for young people to secure dignified living conditions despite working full-time. She criticized the focus on the manner of protests rather than the underlying issue of basic rights and mentioned the removal of tents during demonstrations.

Fado singer Gisela João also voiced her frustration and sadness regarding the housing crisis via social media. While unable to join the street protests due to illness, she highlighted the disconnect between high rental prices—noting reports of 2,300 euro rents being labeled as affordable—and the national minimum wage, which remains below 1,000 euros. João also lamented the changing identity of her neighborhood, observing an increase in people sleeping on the streets.