The people of Rio Maior
Several people from Rio Maior led and inspired the farmers' mobilisation of 1975 and helped preserve its memory.
Adelino da Costa Bernardes
APA President for more than four decades
Coordinated the resistance on 13 July, acquired the Association's headquarters and equipment, and received Rio Maior's Municipal Medal in 1991.
Joaquim da Nazaré Gomes
APA President · Delegate to Belém
Took part in the events of 13 July and was one of four representatives who negotiated with the Council of the Revolution before 25 November.
José Manuel Casqueiro
President of the National Farmers' Secretariat
Coordinated the national campaign from Rio Maior, led the delegation to Belém and became CAP's first Secretary-General.
Luís Mira
CAP Secretary-General in 2025
Represented CAP at the 2025 commemoration and stressed the role of 13 July in stabilising Portugal's democratic process.
Adriana Agostinho
Young farmer
Spoke at the 2025 ceremony about the free farmer as a defender of both production and the wider community.
Luís Madeira & Guilherme Jacinto
Delegates to Belém
Joined Casqueiro and Nazaré Gomes in the delegation sent to Lisbon during the night before 25 November.
Two men, one cause
José Manuel Casqueiro
President of the National Farmers' Secretariat
A man of unwavering courage, he resisted death threats and faced many dangers during his life in agricultural associations. From Rio Maior, he organised dozens of meetings across Portugal between July and November 1975 in opposition to the government's agricultural policy and Decree-Law 406-A.
On 24 November he announced the road and rail blockades intended to press the government. He signed CAP's statutes and served as its Secretary-General for several years. A group of farmers later erected a monument to him at CNEMA in Santarém.
Adelino da Costa Bernardes
A life devoted to associations
The long-serving President of APA Rio Maior played a leading part in the events of 13 July. Two days later he was chosen to represent the farmers at a meeting with the Mayor, the Civil Governor of Santarém and the Armed Forces.
During his term he purchased the Association's premises and equipment and held several other positions in agricultural and educational organisations. Rio Maior awarded him the Municipal Medal in 1991 “in recognition of his dedication to Rio Maior”.