'Portugal's market has died. Banks aren't lending. Everything is blocked'

Jon Henley is traveling through Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece to hear the human stories behind the debt crisis in Europe. Outraged at Lisbon Lisbon is a growing movement of activists who say that young people are desperate

There are maybe 20 of them cross-legged on the lawn as the shadows lengthen across the garden of Principe Real in Lisbon. A graphic designer, an elementary school teacher, two economists, a photographer, a business intelligence analyst, a restorer of antiques, a tourist guide, aged between mid 20 and 50 years later.

discuss tonight's main event Weekend: Rally and March Saturday in the Portuguese capital, ending with a "popular assembly" in front of the parliament building. What happens after that is not very safe, Lisbon last major event from March to March, 500,000 people were in the street

Outraged

Lisbon, inspired by the Arab spring and movement of 15 million in Spain, bringing together people from all walks: "Some are students," said Luis Alves, a freelance designer for 30 years graph and a member of the movement. "Others took part in the 1974 revolution, and we regret not society should have."

They are united by a desire for change.

"We really believe that people power," continued Alves. "People think someone else will solve this problem, but we must. People who are supposed to find solutions Our elected officials are clearly not. We must show that we are not good in the hands of bankers and businessmen. "

• movement goals are not well defined ("It's normal, we are just beginning," said Alves), but are reduced, said Peter Murteira, a student of social education, common sense . A more participatory democracy: a system that works for the good of all and not for the benefit of some
• "Something must change," said Alves. "We are not a rich country .. The minimum wage here is only ? 485 [£ 425 per month] - even in Greece is ? 600, but taxes go up, electricity is increased by 30%, public transport therefore people are desperate. There is real desperation.

"I have many friends who are thinking of emigrating. Only two of my friends have service contracts. I'm lucky, most of my work is that people outside Portugal . The market has died by banks. are not ready. All economically and politically, is locked. "

Murteira said he hopes the crisis will lead to "a new way of organizing our lives, and to consume. It is a point of view, but a collective point of view. Because the real problem is not the crisis. which is the system there is a slogan, you know there are no jobs, no houses, no security, no prospects -. no fear "

After the protests of May in neighboring Spain, 50 or 60 Portuguese angry camped for a week in Rossio Square. They were encouraged, and Alves Murteira say, by people's reactions:. Older women who came to give them money, men in suits carrying bags of bread for breakfast
"Sometimes," says Murteira, "I think people understand. I walk around town on a Saturday night and see the clothes and shopping and consumption, and doubt. But look, we come to our senses. The problems we face are so complex that we really can be solved in a whole new way of doing politics. "

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