Porto. Councilor sensitive to cultural agents seeks dialogue

Jorge Sobrado, the Porto Culture Councilor, expressed sensitivity to cultural agents' concerns regarding the ice rink installation and housing protests. In a letter, he acknowledged their demands for support and dialogue, despite the decisions being outside his direct responsibility. He emphasized his commitment to maintaining communication with cultural stakeholders and criticized police actions during protests as disproportionate. Sobrado voted against a proposal urging the government to refrain from violent interventions, citing concerns about political opportunism. Cultural agents argue that relocating the ice rink to Praça D. João I would undermine their right to protest, as the decision was made prior to the housing camp's establishment.