A black ball at the bottom of the first column of the third page, where the censorship check should be. It was in this way that the April 26, 1974 edition of Mensageiro de Bragança indicated that something different had happened. At the time, the newspaper printing process took around two days. Therefore, that edition of Mensageiro was ready since the 25th, Thursday (at the time the newspaper was published on Fridays), when information was still scarce in the province.
But, in the following edition, on May 3rd, the difference was already noticeable, with a message of support for the Armed Forces Movement and the news that the Armed Forces “want to save Portugal”, right on the first page.
The Episcopal Conference itself spoke out, saying it hoped that “such events will contribute to the good of Portuguese society, in justice, reconciliation and respect for all people”.
In this edition of May 3, 1974, it was reported that “Bragança took to the streets in two demonstrations”, the first of which was “promoted by a group of democrats”, which took place only on the 27th, two days after the coup. military, starting at 6 pm, in Praça da Sé. “An enthusiastic popular demonstration of support, tribute and also gratitude to the Portuguese Armed Forces and the Junta de Salvação Nacional, in the person of its president, General António de Spínola.
Thousands of people gathered in that square, with the presence of many hundreds of young students of both sexes and many others from the working classes. Some held national flags and posters with the most expressive phrases and cheers in support of the Armed Forces.” The second, organized by unions and the working class, took place on May 1st and was “one of the biggest and most spontaneous popular demonstrations in memory”.
