President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa made an important appeal on national television this week upon the Lisbon shooting incident. He urged calm and peaceful solutions after the death of Odair Moniz. He was a 43 year old man who was shot by a PSP police officer.
The incident took place in Cova da Moura which is a neighborhood in Amadora early on Monday morning. Tensions in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area have been growing since then and concerns about violence have emerged.
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President Marcelo Calls For Peace After Lisbon Shooting Incident
President Marcelo addressed the public through several major TV channels which include SIC, RTP, and TVI/CNN Portugal. He called for calm and reminded people that violence will only make things worse. His message focused on the importance of peace, security, and public order. He also acknowledged that the area faces intense social problems that need attention.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa emphasized that most people want peace in his speech. He warned that violence tends to escalate and makes it harder to solve problems.
He said:
The certainty that the majority of the general public is aware that peaceful solutions are always preferable to violent confrontations
Marcelo noted that the words and actions of some people may encourage violence, but this would only harm the community.
He added:
A climate of escalating violence is being created or fostered or fed, verbally, in what is said, in the initiatives that are taken, and this has an enormous cost for the overwhelming majority of Portuguese, and in this case for the overwhelming majority of those who live here in this area
The president made it clear that even though there are difficult situations, violence is never the right solution.
President emphasized:
It’s clear that there are more critical situations and more critical moments, what we have to do is deal with them by finding solutions, and it is never a solution to encourage violence, particularly physical violence
Dangers of Escalating Violence
President Marcelo also spoke about the temptation to turn to violence in times of frustration. He stressed that people must resist this temptation. During his conversation with RTP, Marcelo emphasized that democracy depends on public order and security.
Marcelo said:
The temptation to violence must be resisted. There is no democracy without security and public order and, therefore, without the role of the security forces. They are not the only ones, but they are fundamental. They must always act with respect for the principles of the democratic rule of law
He also added that the security forces must always respect the law and act in a way that protects democratic values.
Inequality And Social Problems
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa did not ignore the larger issues that may be increasing tensions in Lisbon. He acknowledged that inequality, injustice, and economic problems exist, especially in the metropolitan areas. Many communities feel left behind and the frustrations that come from these struggles can lead to unrest.
The president made it clear that while these problems are real, violence cannot be the answer. He said:
The problems that need to be solved should not be solved through instability or a climate of violence
Marcelo stressed that solutions to these issues must be found through peaceful dialogue and action. He addressed all Portuguese citizens, not just those in Lisbon and said:
The appeal is for everyone, that is, namely for the vast majority of citizens, in a society that is peaceful, that has many inequalities, in fact, and has many injustices, and many economic, social and financial and cultural problems, namely in the metropolitan areas
Ongoing Investigation Into Odair Moniz’s Death
The tragic death of Odair Moniz is still under investigation. The police officer involved has been suspended and is now considered an official suspect. The case has raised concerns about how the police operate in areas like Cova da Moura and has put a spotlight on the need for accountability.
Marcelo did not speak directly about the specifics of the case during his televised speeches. But he focused on the broader need for justice. He insisted that public order must be maintained but in a way that respects the rule of law. His comments suggest that he expects the investigation to be fair and transparent.
President Marcelo has reminded the public that Portugal is a peaceful nation and it should remain that way. He warned that violence will only lead to more instability and suffering.
Recent protests in the Lisbon area have been mostly peaceful. But there is still concern that things can take a violent turn. Marcelo speech for calm is a crucial step to ensure that the situation does not escalate. He also stressed the role of the police in maintaining order while making it clear that their actions must always be lawful and just.
The president highlighted the need for dialogue to solve the problems faced by communities like Cova da Moura. While he acknowledged that inequality, social injustice, and economic hardship are real issues. He urged people to find peaceful ways to address them. His message was one of unity and understanding.
