Protesters in Budapest have occupied four bridges in a demonstration against the government's recent ban on Pride events and new legislation that restricts the right to assembly.

The Hungarian Parliament passed the controversial law two weeks prior in a swift procedure, allowing for future bans on gatherings such as the Pride parade, which has sparked widespread outrage among activists.

The protest, organized by independent politician Ákos Hadházy under the slogan "No Retreat", featured speeches from notable figures including Dorottya Rédei from Labrisz, journalist Imre Para-Kovács, actor Tamás Lengyel, theologian Rita Perintfalvi, and activist Lili Pankotai.

Attendees gathered at the Elizabeth Bridge, where they were informed by activists from the Momentum party about plans to occupy multiple bridges throughout the evening.

During the protest, demonstrators managed to occupy four bridges, including the Liberty and Margaret Bridges, with reports indicating around 10,000 participants during the peak hours.

By 8 PM, three bridges were already closed off, prompting some protesters to march towards the Parliament and target the Margaret Bridge next.

According to police reports, the Margaret Bridge was closed shortly before 8:30 PM. Authorities began attempts to clear the protesters from the Liberty and Margaret Bridges, though these efforts were temporarily halted, allowing demonstrators to remain at these locations.

After several hours, a group of protesters began leaving the Petőfi Bridge, led by Hadházy who stated that he would remain to engage with participants until 10 PM. Meanwhile, the protest atmosphere shifted to a more celebratory tone, with some demonstrators engaging in traditional dancing on the remaining occupied bridges.

As the night progressed, activists from the Momentum party indicated plans to return to the Elizabeth Bridge for a planned 24-hour blockade the following week, asserting that they aimed to double the number of participants for that upcoming event.

Further disrupting traffic, clashes ensued between demonstrators and vehicles in the area surrounding the Petőfi Bridge, resulting in temporary conflicts as protesters and drivers exchanged heated words over the blockage.

In a separate incident, activist Bálint Szabó re-entered the Danube River during the protest, reminiscent of a previous incident where he required medical assistance after a similar attempt.

Some protesters voiced their solidarity against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's administration, with Perintfalvi labeling him as a "new fascist" and challenging his legitimacy as a leader.

Others joined in a chorus demanding his resignation, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights amidst broader political dissent in Hungary.

Despite fluctuating numbers throughout the evening, the protest successfully demonstrated the discontent among citizens regarding governmental restrictions on freedoms, reflecting wider regional tensions related to LGBTQ+ rights and civil liberties across Europe.