What kind of European Capital of Democracy is this?

 On 21 October, SOS Quinta dos Ingleses received a reply to the email sent to Cascais Municipal Council regarding the removal of billboards put up by the association around the Quinta dos Ingleses area.

In this response, the council states three things:

1 – That they were not removed because of the Ironman event;

2 – That they were removed by the Municipal Police as part of an enforcement action; and

3 – That they were seized as part of the ongoing administrative offence proceedings against SOS Quinta dos Ingleses for an alleged infraction.

Apparently, the council expects people to believe that, out of nowhere, a contingent of the Municipal Police would just decide to go and remove billboards. It considers it acceptable that an administrative body (such as the Municipal Police) can remove billboards that pose no danger to human life or safety without prior administrative proceedings and notification to the targeted party. Furthermore, it seems unaware that an environmental association with NGO status has specific legal rights that prevent this kind of behaviour—which is illegal and violates constitutionally protected rights, freedoms, and guarantees (namely, the right to freedom of expression and property) and constitutes a criminal offence.

SOS Quinta dos Ingleses has already reported this manifest violation of rights and the crime committed by the Municipal Police and/or the council to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Ombudsman, and will take legal action to demand the reinstatement of the billboards and compensation for the damages caused.

The fact that the council included an image announcing itself as the European Capital of Democracy in the very email where it justifies the unjustifiable and illegal removal of the billboards only adds ridicule and irony to the local authority's response.