Police did not allow the Hungarian Association of Resistance and Antifascists (MEASZ) to organize a march on Saturday – the day when the far right celebrates its “Day of Honor”. The Supreme Court may still overturn the decision of the Budapest Police Headquarters.
Why did the police ban marches in Budapest?
What organizations were planning marches on Saturday?
What is Honor Day?
What security measures have the Budapest police introduced?
Participants of the “Say no to hate! End fascism!” march they were to walk through the center of Budapest, starting the procession in front of the “Shoes on the Danube Bank” monument, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. The services emphasized that there is a high probability that the demonstration would pose a risk to public order.
On the same day, nationalist circles planned their celebrations, which traditionally commemorate in Budapest the unsuccessful attempt of German and Hungarian troops to break through from Buda, which was besieged by the Red Army in 1945.
The “Nepszava” daily reported on Thursday that the police did not give consent for this march, which is why – just like last year – the right wing will organize a closed conference.
Vilmos Hanti, president of MEASZ, appealed to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Budapest police.
“Nepszava” also wrote that the police chief in Budapest ordered increased control of the entire area of the capital from Wednesday until 8 p.m. on Saturday. The aim of the enhanced security measures is “to prevent, detect and disrupt illegal activities and to maintain public order and public security.”
