Public demonstrations E has been involved in many controversies. In 2006, it got involved in the demonstration by security forces agents against the government. The
Diário de Notícias article about the participation of the then PNR reads:"''It was total chaos. It had been almost 120 minutes from the set time for the beginning of the parade by the security force agents against the government policies when the organizers arrived at the Marquis of Pombal Square to warn that, after all, there wasn't going to be a demonstration. With the argument that the PSP, GNR, Maritime Police and Foreigners and Border Services agents refused to "parade next to neonazis" (and PNR representatives) that had gathered there to participate. And with fear that there was going to be conflicts between both sides. The decision by the organizers – the Permanent Coordinating Committee of Unions and Associations of Security Forces and Services – enraged the agents of many task forces. The protests increased in tone, confusion arose and, all of a sudden, when they least expected it, the security forces agents passed over the organizer's decision and started their parade. The Coordinating Committee had lost control over the situation. The parade was, indeed, done, until Terreiro do Paço, where the Ministry of Internal Affairs was. There, the agents demanded changes in the health system, retirement and better work conditions. The far-right militants, after having had a stage to talk to the media started to disperse, seeing groups here and there along the parade. But they didn't follow the demonstration behind the police forces."''
Criminal controversies Some of its members were convicted of
racial discrimination and violent crimes, among others, the murder of a
PSR leader (
José Carvalho) and the racially motivated murder of
Alcindo Monteiro, after being linked to right-wing armed groups such as the
National Front and Portuguese
Hammerskins. However, the way these groups act had led to a distancing by the then PNR towards said groups. As a result, the former Portuguese
Hammerskins leader Mário Machado has decided to try to create a new party, the
New Social Order. == Notes and references ==