Protests in Hungary materialized quickly following the passage of a controversial law tightening regulations on assembly, which, critics argue, paves the way for a potential ban on Pride events in the country.

The Hungarian Parliament approved this legislation in a fast-tracked procedure two weeks ago, amid protests from opposition lawmakers.

The protest, organized by independent MP Ákos Hadházy under the banner 'Nincs hova hátrálni' ('No Retreat'), saw significant participation from activists and notable figures, including journalist Imre Para-Kovács, actor Tamás Lengyel, and activist Lili Pankotai.

Protesters occupied four major bridges in Budapest, specifically the Erzsébet, Szabadság, Margit, and Petőfi bridges, effectively halting traffic for several hours.

The occupation began with a large gathering at Erzsébet Bridge, where attendees were informed that the plan was to close at least four bridges.

After speeches from various speakers, most protesters left Erzsébet Bridge to march along Belgrád Embankment, later occupying Szabadság Bridge, and subsequently moving to Petőfi Bridge under the direction of Momentum party politicians.

By 8 PM, three bridges had been fully closed.

A statement from the police confirmed the closure of the Margit Bridge shortly before 8:30 PM. As nocturnal demonstrations continued, police initially attempted to disperse protesters on both Margit and Szabadság bridges, though they later ceased these efforts.

Notably, activists on Petőfi Bridge decided to relinquish their hold and return to Szabadság Bridge, with plans for a potential 24-hour blockade of Erzsébet Bridge next week announced by Momentum’s faction leader, David Bedő.

As the night wore on, the mood varied; while some areas transformed into a festive atmosphere with music, others experienced confrontations between motorists and demonstrators over traffic disruptions.

Amid the protests, there were also reports of minor scuffles and disputes, indicating rising tensions as police enforced control measures.

Notably, an individual associated with opposition movements attempted to swim across the Danube River to evade police, while another protester received minor injuries due to a flag incident during the evening's events.

Speakers at the protests criticized the government's stance on LGBTQ rights, highlighting broader concerns regarding civil liberties in Hungary.

Activists expressed outrage at Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's policies, calling for accountability and a return to democratic principles.

The protests mark a significant moment in Hungary's ongoing cultural and political conflicts, drawing attention to the intersection of civil rights and legislative power in the region.