Thousands of people in Portugal take to streets to mark Carnation Revolution

Thousands of people took to the streets in Lisbon on Tuesday to mark Portugal's 1974 Carnation Revolution that ended dictatorship.

The parade took place on the Avenida de Liberdade (Liberty Avenue), where it traditionally takes place every year.

Red roses were seen everywhere, reminiscent of the flowers put into the guns 43 years ago. The red flowers were sold by street vendors, just as they were sold to soldiers during the bloodless coup.

Young people dominated the crowds, holding up banners and flags. Though they weren't born yet when the coup took place, they have suffered the effects of recent austerity measures.

"It's important to remember the 25th of April, to remember equality and respect for democracy," 20-year-old student Joao Miguel told Xinhua.

"There is still a long way to go. We still need to give rights to immigrants... We also still need to advance in women's rights."

Miguel added that there are a lot of rights in the Portuguese constitution which are important to defend. Endit