The Equality Parade in Budapest started after 15. Its participants arrived after about three hours to the end point of the march, i.e. in front of the polytechnic building.
Originally, the route covered the passage over the Danube Most of Freedom. However, the crossing was blocked by several hundred members of the far -right movement of our homeland (Mi Hazank). His activists accused the government and the police of “surrender” and announced that they would close the bridge themselves. Therefore, the participants of the parade decided to cross the Elizabeth bridge.
Actor Kristof Steiner, speaking to a crowd gathered at the end of the route, said that the march is the greatest equality parade in its almost 30 years of history in Hungary. The event was also commented on on Facebook by the opposition mayor of Budapest Gergely Kararsony, writing that he was proud of his city.
Equality Parade in Budapest. Counter -manifestations have appeared
Several dozen opponents of the event had previously protested near the participants of the parade. Counter -manifestants carried crosses and Bibles. When trying to get closer to the participants of the march, they were stopped by the cleaning services and moved away from the square in front of the capital's town hall.
The police – according to local media – have not yet informed anyone that the manifestation is illegal. On June 20, the Supreme Court of Hungary maintained a ban on organizing a parade by the police, considering that “the declared purpose of the assembly may violate the bans contained in the provisions regarding assemblies and protection of minors.”
The Hungarian government banned the “promotion of homosexuality” among children. Appeals of other EU countries
In mid -March this year, the Hungarian parliament adopted the amendment to the Act on assemblies in practice delegating the equality parades. The draft change was made by the ruling party Fidesz. The ban allows to impose fines to the organizers of events and prohibits “presenting or promoting” homosexuality among people under 18 years of age.
The chairwoman of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen appealed to the Hungarian authorities on Wednesday to allow the organization of the Equality Parade in Budapest, which was previously banned by the police. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban replied that the European Commission should not interfere in this matter.
Earlier, over 20 European Union countries called Budapest to change the provisions prohibiting events related to LGBT, expressing fears that this is contrary to the basic values of dignity, freedom, equality and respect for human rights recorded in the EU treaties. At least several dozen MEPs and many politicians from other countries have announced participation in the Saturday parade.
