Peace Inside The Storm - Lisbon, Portugal, Last Saturday

Last Saturday, Sept. 15th 2012, there were major protests in the streets all over Portugal because of the austerity measures the Portuguese government is trying to implement against the people.

I know that things are not easy over here but this is such an unfair situation mostly because they put EVERY efforts over people shoulders, while the ones who really caused the problems are still being spare.

Therefore we had about 500000 people in the streets, only in Lisbon.

In one of the most tense moments in front of MIF building there were several policeman to protect the place against the angry crowd. Yet, they were with the people but they still had to do their job.

Bellow, there is a beautiful little story that happened during that moment....

Adriana is an 18 years old art student. This was the 1st protest she attended in her life. She has no party, believes in peace and that is possible to live in a world without money.

She looks at one of the cops in the eyes. Sad eyes that she could see well because he wasn`t wearing the protection helmet glass at the moment.

Then she moves next and gives him a hug asking "What are you doing here ?" ...He answers: "Because It`s my Job"

"Don`t you prefer to be in the people`s side ?", she asks. He looks in front and says nothing. A few seconds after he gently says "enough" and moves back instead of pushing her out.

The picture of this moment was taken and is becoming very popular all over the internet, so I`d like to share it here as well. Hope you like it.

Sorry for my bad english


NO, It`s not a picture of a movie

Hot chicks have the power to save the world.

Tell the people.

reply to post by freemarketsocialist


LOL, yes, she`s hot and I think "serenity" is the right word to describe her in the picture.

They both have been interviewed after that moment and the policeman confirms he would prefer to be in the people`s side if he could but he still had to do his job. Anyway, they didn`t fight nor caused any arm to the people and they are warning the government they will be on people`s side if they have to.

reply to post by AQ6666


If he wants to be on the people's side then he should quit his job and join them. I really get sick of people using the "its just a job", or "ive got a family to provide for" excuse. What about the countless people who lost their livelihoods, and cant provide for their families, at the expense of the people cowering behind the cops? These people need to realise they are a massive part of the problem, even though they are being screwed by the same people that they protect from the rest of their victims.

reply to post by Firefly_


....We both know that many times it`s not that easy but who knows this was the "click" needed to change this policeman`s life

Love this photo
The 15th was a tense day all over, don't know much about the other cities but in Lisbon there were some nasty clashes between the people and police officers, there are several videos going around of those incidents, even one of a girl getting pushed down stairs by police.
Portugal feels like it's exploding, every day it seems closer.

I'm glad at least something good took place, and I hope it opens his eyes.

reply to post by Firefly_

If he wants to be on the people's side then he should quit his job and join them.

Yeah... You know what might be on his mind? The fact that if he quits his job and joins a protest - which is not a career, although Occupy believes it is - he will provably cease to provide to his family, pay his bills, or any other responsibility he has.

He was polite and responsible and did his job. That's enough to deserve my respect.

I really get sick of people using the "its just a job", or "ive got a family to provide for" excuse.

It's not an excuse, it's a reason. And a valid one.

Will you pay for the food for his children if he quits his job?

What about the countless people who lost their livelihoods, and cant provide for their families, at the expense of the people cowering behind the cops?

So, what you are saying is that, since there are a lot of people suffering from economical crisis, the cops should quit the job they have and be part of that number, putting even more stress in society?

And the cops aren't there to protect the "people cowering". They are there to protect the buildings and even the protesters. Buildings, that if they are damaged, the repairs will be payed with tax money...

These people need to realise they are a massive part of the problem

Actually, they aren't. They are victims, just like any other portuguese citizen.

even though they are being screwed by the same people that they protect from the rest of their victims.

Duty

The moral commitment should result in action; it is not a matter of passive feeling or mere recognition. When someone recognizes a duty, that person theoretically commits themself to its fulfillment without considering their own self-interest.

I hope the world looks at this as a good example of how protests should be done.

reply to post by GarrusVasNormandy


Great reply, thank you

Originally posted by Firefly_
If he wants to be on the people's side then he should quit his job and join them.

Or not.

If someone is in a position in which they can help the people, it's better to have them on that position than working in an office/factory/store/etc.

It was a group of men from the military that were responsible for the end of the dictatorship in Portugal, in April 1974. During that revolution (the Carnation Revolution), most of the police was also on the people's side, so it turned out a peaceful revolution (the revolutionaries didn't kill anyone, the political police killed four people while trying to resist being captured).

It's police officers like the one on the photo that will resist orders to attack the people (if those orders ever come).