Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Despite a prohibition from the conservative government, thousands gathered in Budapest for a massive protest against the regime's stance on democracy and liberal values.
On Sunday, thousands of individuals participated in the pride parade in Budapest, despite a government-imposed ban.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the event as "disgraceful and shameful," alleging that the European Union had conspired with opposition politicians to orchestrate the parade, which turned into a major protest against his nationalistic government.
Organizers claimed that approximately 200,000 attendees were present, while police estimates suggested over 100,000.
Many participants carried pride flags and signs protesting Orbán, some featuring artistic depictions of him in makeup.
This demonstration marked a significant display of opposition against Orbán's administration, which is accused of undermining democratic norms and liberal values.
The police had previously warned that they would impose fines on participants but chose not to disperse the crowds.
Speaking to supporters via a closed online forum, Orbán accused opposition members of receiving direction from "Brussels" to rally their supporters for the event.
He stated, "We are even more certain now that we must not allow these people to approach power, and we will not permit them to do so." However, Orbán did not provide evidence for his claims regarding EU involvement in organizing the pride parade.
Instead, the city of Budapest was responsible for its planning.
The Orbán government criticized Budapest's mayor, Gergely Karácsony, labeling him a "puppet" of the EU over the years.
Orbán characterized the pride parade's events as "disgraceful and shameful," specifically mentioning drag performances, men in high heels, and the distribution of pamphlets regarding hormone treatments.
The Hungarian parliament had previously approved a law in March prohibiting pride parades, asserting that they could negatively affect children.
The law enables police to impose fines of up to 500 euros on participants and allows for facial recognition technology to identify them.
Under this law, organizers can face up to one year in prison, prompting condemnation from various entities within the European Union and Western nations.
The Orbán government positions itself as a defender of family values and Christian civilization against what it refers to as "gender madness," claiming that its policies are aimed at protecting children from "sexual propaganda." Hungary is set to hold elections next year, which are anticipated to pose a significant challenge for Orbán, who has been in power for 15 years.
According to event organizers, attendees came from 30 different countries, and the parade was supported by 70 members of the European Parliament.
More than 30 foreign embassies expressed their backing for the Budapest event, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called on Hungary to allow the parade to proceed as planned.
Before the event, Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga sent letters to various embassies clarifying that organizers risked imprisonment and that participation itself would be illegal.
Orbán commented that von der Leyen believes Hungary is "subordinate" to the EU.
In a related development, Turkish police detained at least 30 individuals in Istanbul who attempted to hold a pride parade, which authorities had banned.
Turkey has prohibited such parades since 2015, citing security and public order concerns.
The government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken a hardline stance against the LGBTQ+ community, and activists report that the response to pride events has intensified in recent years, indicating a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly in Turkey.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán condemned the event as "disgraceful and shameful," alleging that the European Union had conspired with opposition politicians to orchestrate the parade, which turned into a major protest against his nationalistic government.
Organizers claimed that approximately 200,000 attendees were present, while police estimates suggested over 100,000.
Many participants carried pride flags and signs protesting Orbán, some featuring artistic depictions of him in makeup.
This demonstration marked a significant display of opposition against Orbán's administration, which is accused of undermining democratic norms and liberal values.
The police had previously warned that they would impose fines on participants but chose not to disperse the crowds.
Speaking to supporters via a closed online forum, Orbán accused opposition members of receiving direction from "Brussels" to rally their supporters for the event.
He stated, "We are even more certain now that we must not allow these people to approach power, and we will not permit them to do so." However, Orbán did not provide evidence for his claims regarding EU involvement in organizing the pride parade.
Instead, the city of Budapest was responsible for its planning.
The Orbán government criticized Budapest's mayor, Gergely Karácsony, labeling him a "puppet" of the EU over the years.
Orbán characterized the pride parade's events as "disgraceful and shameful," specifically mentioning drag performances, men in high heels, and the distribution of pamphlets regarding hormone treatments.
The Hungarian parliament had previously approved a law in March prohibiting pride parades, asserting that they could negatively affect children.
The law enables police to impose fines of up to 500 euros on participants and allows for facial recognition technology to identify them.
Under this law, organizers can face up to one year in prison, prompting condemnation from various entities within the European Union and Western nations.
The Orbán government positions itself as a defender of family values and Christian civilization against what it refers to as "gender madness," claiming that its policies are aimed at protecting children from "sexual propaganda." Hungary is set to hold elections next year, which are anticipated to pose a significant challenge for Orbán, who has been in power for 15 years.
According to event organizers, attendees came from 30 different countries, and the parade was supported by 70 members of the European Parliament.
More than 30 foreign embassies expressed their backing for the Budapest event, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called on Hungary to allow the parade to proceed as planned.
Before the event, Hungarian Justice Minister Judit Varga sent letters to various embassies clarifying that organizers risked imprisonment and that participation itself would be illegal.
Orbán commented that von der Leyen believes Hungary is "subordinate" to the EU.
In a related development, Turkish police detained at least 30 individuals in Istanbul who attempted to hold a pride parade, which authorities had banned.
Turkey has prohibited such parades since 2015, citing security and public order concerns.
The government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken a hardline stance against the LGBTQ+ community, and activists report that the response to pride events has intensified in recent years, indicating a broader crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly in Turkey.
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