Peace and religious freedom walks in Portugal and Brazil

In September 2026, various organizations in Portugal and Brazil organized series of walks focused on peace, religious freedom, and ecological concerns.

In Portugal, the ‘Passos pela PAZ 2026’ initiative, led by groups such as Rede Cuidar da Casa Comum and Movimento Laudato Si’, was scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4. These events aimed to connect the pursuit of peace with integral ecology, addressing issues like global conflict and ecological destruction. Concurrently, the IV Peace Walk was set to occur on September 20 across nine Portuguese cities, including Funchal, Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Tavira, and Horta. The Funchal event featured meditation and a silent walk through locations such as Quinta Magnólia and Jardim da Ajuda.

The civic movement Portugal pela Paz organized the IV Peace Walk as a simultaneous event across ten cities, including Beja, Coimbra, Évora, and Caldas da Rainha. Scheduled for the eve of the International Day of Peace, the initiative began at 16:30 with silence, meditation, or prayer, followed by a silent walk. Organizers described the non-partisan, non-profit initiative as a way to affirm a desire for peace and reject war, emphasizing that lasting peace requires individual internal transformation alongside political decisions. For those unable to attend, collective meditation was offered online via Zoom.

In Brazil, the 19th Walk in Defense of Religious Freedom was scheduled for September 20 in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Organized by the Comissão de Combate à Intolerância Religiosa and the Centro de Articulação de Populações Marginalizadas, the march advocated for a secular state and respect for diverse beliefs, continuing a mobilization that began in 2008.