Immediately after the November coup, the Azevedo regime began making direct inroads into the extension of democratic rights in 1974. temporary curfew in Lisbon & censoring the press by removing pro-CP editorial staff - can now growing trend. Direct attacks have, more recently, been made on the right of protest and assembly.
The government chose the January Ist demonstration in Oporto (called to demand the release of 140 people arrested in the wake of the November coup) to further test out its repressive line. The Republican National Guard opened fire on a crowd of 3000, killing three and seriously wounding many more. ernment defended the attack, the demonstrators with being part of a plot to help the prisoners lescape!.
The government's use of the Republican National Guard, police force known for its right-wing was not accidental. In the January 3rd Washington Post, a report wam warto staes nald recruitment campaign for 10, men is being launched by television adverts'. 'he Examples such as the demonstration in oporio - or inat in Lisbon a tew days later broken up by part of a growing anti-democratic trend