"Adérito Lopes speaks out against escalating hostility in Portugal following the attack"
Actor Adérito Lopes, of the theater company "A Barraca," has taken a firm stance against the growing prejudice in Portugal following a vicious assault by a far-right group outside Cinearte theatre in Lisbon last Tuesday. He and former Socialist Education Minister João Costa made their voices heard in an opinion piece published in Expresso.
On Friday, Lopes spoke out in a statement sent to news outlets. He labeled the attack, which he experienced without provocation, as a "cruel and brutal act of violence." Lopes opted to remain quiet on the matter to avoid interfering with the investigation and to deny the attacker any publicity.
However, in an opinion piece co-authored with João Costa and published in Expresso, under the title "We Will Not Live in Fear," the actor adopts a more confrontational tone. They argue that theatre and art, being potent vehicles for thought, questioning, and resistance, are frequently targeted by authoritarian movements due to their power. They implore society to stand together in the celebration of diversity, as a greater good, and to act with courage in the face of fear.
The assault on the actor, who portrayed Camões in the production "Love is Fire that Burns Without Being Seen," took place on Portugal Day. According to the Public Security Police (PSP), Lopes was attacked as he exited his vehicle by a 20-year-old assailant, who was subsequently identified by authorities. The case has been forwarded to the Public Ministry, which has confirmed the initiation of an investigation.
June 10th was also marked by other incidents of intolerance. The opinion piece recounts the insult hurled at David Munir, head of the Islamic community in Portugal, and attacks on figures like writer Lídia Jorge. Lopes and Costa denounce the rise of the far-right and its impact on public discourse and social media.
As the investigation continues, Lopes and Costa's call for societal mobilization resonates strongly. "We stand united in the struggle for the celebration of diversity as a greater good. It's urgent to act. It's urgent to be courageous. It's urgent not to be afraid."
Their words serve as a rallying cry for a nation grappling with the growing influence of extremism, reminding the public that freedom of expression and democratic values will not be silenced.
- In the wake of the assault, Adérito Lopes and João Costa, writing in an opinion piece titled "We Will Not Live in Fear," addressed the link between politics and crime, as they argued that authoritarian movements often view theater and art as a threat due to their power.
- As the investigation into the attack on Adérito Lopes progresses, recent events such as the incident involving David Munir and attacks on figures like Lídia Jorge highlight the need for general-news coverage to bring attention to crime-and-justice issues, as well as the growing influence of the far-right and its impact on public discourse and social media.
