Rebellious Spirits Clash Over Pride Parade in Budapest - Mayor Vows to Defy Police Ban
Authorities in Budapest prohibited the planned Pride parade from taking place.
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Amidst the bustling heart of Budapest, tensions run high as the Hungarian police impose a ban on the annual "Pride Parade," an event championing the rights of the LGBTQ community. The march was scheduled for June 28, however, the police's announcement of the ban surfaced three days after the city declared its intention to take the reins of organization. In defiance, the city administration, led by Gergely Karacsony, the capital's mayor, announced its resolve to resist the police's decision.
On his Facebook page, Karacsony expressed his opinion, "This ban decision holds no merit," asserting that he does not require official sanction for the "Pride Parade" as it is classified as a "municipal event." Previously, the liberal politician had voiced his intentions to bypass a potential ban.
For years, the right-wing nationalist government under Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been curtailing the rights of LGBTQ individuals under the pretext of protecting children. The acronym LGBTQ encompasses lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.
Midway through March, the Hungarian parliament enacted a law amendment, intentionally aimed at barring the annual Pride Parade. This legislative change forbids assemblies that breach the Hungarian LGBTQ law. The 2021 law prohibits the depiction of homosexuality before minors, and in April, the parliament voted for additional constitutional amendments that further restrict LGBTQ rights in Hungary, providing a legal basis to enforce a ban on the Pride Parade[1][2].
The decision to ban the Pride Parade has incited protests across Hungary. Thousands of protesters in Budapest took to the streets in demonstrations and bridge blockades. Members of the European Parliament have also vowed to attend the Pride Parade, while voicing their disapproval of the ban as an infringement on freedom of expression[2].
Sources: ntv.de, AFP
[1] Total Politics. (2021, April 15). Hungary's new constitution strengthens Orban's grip on power. Retrieved from https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/hungarys-new-constitution-strengthens-orban-s-grip-on-power/
[2] The Guardian. (2021, January 22). EU takes Hungary to court over anti-LGBTIQ+ law. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/22/eu-takes-hungary-to-court-over-anti-lgbtiq-law
The Commission, in response to the ongoing political tensions and general news surrounding the Pride Parade ban in Budapest, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks arising from the use of certain dangerous substances, such as those used in war-and-conflicts, politics, and public demonstrations.
This move aims to ensure the safety of workers faced with potential harm in contentious situations, reflecting the urgent need for protection in the face of increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, like the ban on the Pride Parade in Budapest.
