On 11 December, we went to a demonstration. We went to exercise a basic right, believing that being together in a public space was safe. It wasn't.

At the end of the demonstration, hundreds of people remained in front of the Assembly of the Republic. The atmosphere was calm. There were no clashes, no warnings, no orders to disperse. And yet, without any warning, the police started shooting at everyone who was there.

No one knew there would be gunshots. People of all ages were present. In a matter of minutes, a moment of civic participation turned into a scene of panic, fear and blood. Five people were shot in the head. Ten were shot in other vital areas of the body, such as the chest, torso and neck.

It is difficult to explain what it is like to realise that you could have died there. That you could have been blinded. That you could have left there forever changed. We were all just there to demonstrate. And it was pure luck that this did not happen.

The shooting started around 7:37 p.m. and continued for almost an hour. We were first helped by other people at the protest and later by emergency crews. The pavement in front of the Assembly was covered in blood. One by one, the victims panicked in the ambulances because they had been shot.

In addition to the gunshots, many people were violently assaulted with batons. Some were left with deep bruises, intense pain and serious injuries. Most of the victims had to go to hospital that night. Some had stitches and underwent urgent tests. Others have medical reports proving that the marks on their bodies were caused by assaults.

Months later, there are still those who live with the consequences of that day. Some have lost their hearing. Some have difficulty concentrating, constant body aches and severe headaches. There are wounds that cannot be seen, but which remain wide open.

We created this campaign because we know that this was not normal, it was not acceptable and it was not legal. And because we know that if we remain silent, it could happen again - to us or to other people.

We already have the support of lawyers and we are going to file a class action lawsuit to demand accountability. We are not doing this for revenge. We are doing it because we believe that no one should be afraid to leave their home to protest. Because no one should leave a protest with a bullet in their body.

The group is being assisted by a solicitor and a trainee solicitor, and we will be filing three complaints: in the administrative court, a criminal complaint with the DIAP (Department of Investigation and Penal Action) and disciplinary proceedings with the IGAI (General Inspectorate of Internal Administration). We will need to pay €1,500 to the solicitor in February so that he can start the process, with the total cost expected to reach €5,000, depending on how long it takes to complete the process.

We will also request legal support so that there are no further costs involved if, for example, the judge requests technical experts to carry out inspections or we need to appeal.

Over the last month, we have been trying to recover from this real nightmare. Some of us took weeks to be able to sleep without reliving what happened. Three of the victims gave an interview on television, with footage recorded on the day itself, which helped to make public a reality that many people were unaware of.

This campaign is about us, but it is also about all the people who have suffered police violence and never had the means to defend themselves.

If you can contribute, any amount helps. Even a little makes a difference. If you are unable to donate, we ask you to share this campaign. Visibility is also a form of protection.

We are alive. And that is why we will not remain silent. Thank you for helping us turn fear into justice.