American Expats Plan March 28 Protest in Lisbon Against US Corruption

The American expat and immigrant community in Portugal is organizing a large-scale protest for Saturday, March 28, 2026, joining a global wave of demonstrations against what organizers describe as corruption and anti-democratic practices under the Trump administration.

Represented by the AMPT UP collective, American residents in Portugal will gather at Praça do Comércio in Lisbon between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, aligning with the "No Kings" protests currently sweeping across the United States.

Why Americans Abroad Are Protesting

AMPT UP organizers say the demonstration aims to send a clear message to Washington: that current U.S. policies and what the group calls "brazen corruption" fundamentally contradict the values of the American people, including citizens living overseas.

"We are mad as hell, and we want our government and the world to know it," organizers declared. The collective argues that U.S. politics no longer stops at national borders, affecting both American citizens abroad and global geopolitical stability.

The group asserts that defending democracy is a duty even from thousands of miles away, refusing to "see the democratic system undermined by the greed of a handful of criminals using illegitimate power to suppress people's power."

The Global Context

The Lisbon protest is part of a coordinated international effort by American expatriate communities worldwide. Similar demonstrations are planned across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, creating a visible show of dissent from U.S. citizens living outside American borders.

Portugal has become home to a rapidly growing American expatriate population in recent years, drawn by favorable tax regimes like the now-defunct Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) program, quality of life, and political stability. The country's American community now numbers in the tens of thousands, concentrated primarily in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

Non-Violent Demonstration

Organizers emphasize the protest will be peaceful and non-violent, designed to raise awareness among Portuguese neighbors and the international community. The choice of Praça do Comércio—Lisbon's iconic riverside square and historic gathering place—underscores the intent to make the message visible.

AMPT UP is calling for media coverage to amplify their concerns and demonstrate that the international American community remains politically engaged despite geographic distance from the United States.

What This Means for Expats

The protest highlights the increasingly active political engagement of American expatriates in Portugal. While many Americans initially moved to Portugal to escape political divisions at home, events like the March 28 demonstration show that geographic distance hasn't diminished civic commitment.

For American residents considering whether to participate, organizers stress that mass mobilization remains "a citizen's most effective tool for bringing about change." The collective believes demonstrations of solidarity can influence U.S. policy even from across the Atlantic.

Portuguese authorities have been notified of the planned gathering. No restrictions have been announced, and local officials typically facilitate peaceful assembly in accordance with Portuguese constitutional protections for freedom of expression and demonstration.

Americans in Portugal interested in participating or learning more can contact AMPT UP through their organizing channels. The March 28 protest begins at 3:00 PM at Praça do Comércio in Lisbon.