Tens of thousands of people challenge the ban on pride to protest against Orbán | Hungary

Tens of thousands of people went down to the streets of Budapest in defense of the Hungarian government Pridedealing with a call from the mayor of the city to “come calmly and boldly to stand together for freedom, dignity and equal rights”.

The jubilant crowds were packed in the streets of the city on Saturday, waving flags and signs of pride which made fun of the Prime Minister of the country, Viktor OrbánWhile their peaceful procession advanced at a snail rate.

The organizers estimated that a record number of people arose, far exceeding the planned participation rate from 35,000 to 40,000 people.

“We believe that there are 180,000 to 200,000 people present,” Pride president Viktória Radványi told AFP. “It is difficult to estimate because there have never been so many people at Budapest Pride.”

THE mass demonstration Against the government was a soft-meter marking of the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride; Although the participation rate on Saturday was to reach record levels, it had come after the government doubled its targeting of the country’s LGBTQ + community.

“We came because they tried to ban it,” said Timi, 49. The Hungarian national was walking with her daughter, Zsófi, 23, who had traveled from her home to Barcelona to join the rally.

After the ruling party Fidesz, led by right populist Orbán, accelerated A law that has made an offense to organize or assist events that imply the “representation or promotion” of homosexuality to minors, many Hungarians have sworn to show their disapproval by attending pride for the first time.

Viki Márton was one of those who had made the promise, presenting himself with his nine -year -old daughter.

The pair had come equipped with hats, spraying water and a swimsuit, more worried about heat than right -wing demonstrators. “I want her to see reality,” said Márton. “And I’m so excited to be here!”

Earlier this month, police announced that she Government would follow and prohibit walking. The progressive mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, was fast to answer, claiming that the march would continue rather as a separate municipal event, Karácsony describing it as a means of bypassing the need for official authorization.

Saturday, the mayor reiterated why the city had decided to host the event, referring to the way in which the march had become a symbol of dissatisfaction against a government which has Long -standing criticism To weaken democratic institutions and gradually undermine the rule of law.

“The government is still fighting against an enemy against whom he must protect the Hungarian people,” Karácsony said.

“This time, it is the sexual minorities that are the target … We think that there should not be citizens of first and second class, so we decided to stay next to this event.”

Akos Horvath, 18, who had traveled two hours from his city in the south Hungary To participate in March, described it as a “symbolic importance” event.

Addressing the AFP press agency, he added: “It is not only a question of representing homosexuals, but of defending the rights of the Hungarian people.”

The feeling was taken up by his compatriot Walking Eszter Rein-Bódi. “This is much more, not only homosexuality,” said Rein-Bódi to Reuters “is the last moment to defend our rights.”

Tens of thousands of Hungarians, including the elderly and parents with their children, as well as politicians and activists from 30 countries, went down to the street on Saturday, despite the warning of Orbán on Friday that those who attend or organize the march will be confronted with “legal consequences”.

The Hungarian Prime Minister has sought to minimize concerns about violence, however, saying that Hungary was a “civilized country” and that the police “would not break it … they cannot reach the level of physical violence”.

However, in a video published on social networks this week, the Minister of Justice of the country, Bence Tuzson, warned the mayor of Budapest that the organization of a prohibited event or encourages people to attend is liable to one year in prison.

Addressing journalists on Friday, the mayor postponed the threat and minimized the concerns that the police would later impose strong fines on the participants. “The police have only one task tomorrow: guaranteeing the safety and safety of people gathered at the event,” said Karácsony.

The potential of violence had been amplified after three groups linked to the far right, said they planned counter-brimes. While the march of pride was starting, the site of new telex reported that the route of walking had to be modified after one of these groups blocked a bridge.

Analysts had described the government’s attempt to repair pride in the context of a broader effort to limit democratic freedoms before a highly contested national election next year.

Orbán faces an unprecedented challenge of an former member of the Fidesz party elite, farting Magyar, led the organizers of pride to suggest that they are Go to the scapegoat While Orbán rushes towards Earth support Among the conservative voters.

The Government of Orbán had also aroused concerns in Hungary and beyond after it said he would use Facial recognition software to identify people participating in all prohibited events, potentially bringing them up to € 500 (£ 425).

Before walking, while activists rushed to clarity on the question of whether this technology would be used, AFP reported that newly installed cameras had appeared on the lamp posts which sprinkled the planned route.

The threat had been sufficient for having wrapped some. Elton, 30, a Brazilian living in Hungary wore a hat and sunglasses when he participated on Saturday, explaining that he had worried about compromising his work and his immigration status, but that his Hungarian boyfriend had persuaded him to attend.

“This is my second time in Pride, but the first time I feel insecure,” he said.

Mumi, a 21 -year -old resident from Budapest, said she had attended pride in the past, but this time had weighed if we had to join us after being frightened by reports on the facial recognition system.

“At first, I was afraid of going out because of the news, but I feel safe with so many people.”

She hoped that the massive participation for walking would be enough to push the government of Orbán to change its position.

“I think the crowd that came from everywhere EuropeRecord figures will force the Hungarians to see that this cause is well supported. »»