After being accused of being a racist by gypsies in Braga, Ventura retorted that they “are the racists” and that they “should be working”
After being confronted yesterday in Aveiro by Roma gypsies who accused him of “spreading hate,” André Ventura – leader of Portugal‘s far-right party CHEGA – clashed with members of Portugal’s Roma community once again this Thursday, this time in Braga.
The protest, held near the iconic Arco da Porta Nova in central Braga, was led by around 20 people holding Roma flags and banners from anti-fascist groups. Protesters accused Ventura and CHEGA of promoting racist and fascist rhetoric, chanting slogans such as “Long live April 25, long live freedom,” while identifying themselves as Portuguese citizens.
The atmosphere grew more confrontational when CHEGA supporters responded with party chants like “CHEGA, CHEGA” and “Portugal is ours,” waving both national and party flags.
Tensions flared, however, when André Ventura was allegedly spat at from a distance by a demonstrator. The politician fired back, accusing the gypsy protestors of trying to silence CHEGA and claiming that “they are the racists” and “should be working” at that time of day.
On multiple occasions, Ventura has accused Portugal’s gypsy community of living according to its own rules, suggesting that gypsies refuse to live according to the same standards as other Portuguese citizens. Yesterday in Aveiro, Ventura specifically accused gypsies of “refusing to work” – an accusation he made once again today in Braga. He also said that Portugal cannot allow gypsy communities to “continue marrying 13-year-old girls”.
The leader of Portugal’s third most-voted party in the 2024 legislative elections insisted that these groups of gypsy protestors are being planted across the country to disrupt CHEGA’s campaign.
At the end of the campaign walk in Braga, he addressed his supporters briefly, urging them not to be intimidated and stating that he is “being targeted” because he wants to “change the country.” “We are not afraid,” he said.
