Protest in Budapest: Transforms from Pride Parade into Anti-Orban Rally
Hungary's Pride Parade Shatters Records in 2021
This year's Budapest Pride march made history, attracting an unprecedented crowd of almost 200,000 people. Typically, the event usually gathers between 30,000 to 50,000 participants. But this 30th edition outshone them all, according to organizers and independent media outlets. Szilvi, a participant with rainbow-colored hair, summed it up, "This is the biggest Pride ever, and it's also the most beautiful!"
The march turned into the largest anti-Orban protest since Viktor Orban, the national-populist Prime Minister, took office in 2010. In an attempt to prevent the Pride from happening, Orban faced an immense mobilization. Melissa Camara, a Belgian Eurodeputy, wearing a "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" slogan, was among the 70 Eurodeputies and numerous political personalities who attended.
The Budapest Pride wasn't merely a celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility. It embodied a broader struggle for democratic rights. In a politically charged climate under Orban's administration, the event tested Hungary's commitment to the right to peaceful assembly. The marchers, determined to be seen as an essential part of Hungarian society rather than a foreign ideology, bravely faced challenges.
In 2021, the Hungarian government amended legislation and the constitution, aiming to ban the Pride march. Critics denounced this move as a pretext for rolling back LGBTQ+ rights and broader democratic freedoms. Authorities even planned to use facial recognition technology to identify participants and impose fines, while organizers faced potential imprisonment.
Despite the formal ban and threats of police intervention, the crowd defied all odds, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Hungarian government's increasing repression of LGBTQ+ rights. The event garnered significant international attention and support, underscoring its importance as a flashpoint in the battle between Hungary's illiberal turn and European values of equality and human rights.
In summary, the 2021 Budapest Pride march marked a significant milestone, not only as a victory for LGBTQ+ rights but also as a call to preserve fundamental human rights under a government accused of eroding them. The event highlighted the resilience of civil society and the deep divisions within Hungarian society over issues of identity, rights, and governance.
Politics and general news were intertwined during the 2021 Budapest Pride march, as it served as a powerful statement against the government's policies and a testament to Hungarian democracy. The massive turnout challenged the government's attempt to ban the march and highlighted international concerns over the erosion of fundamental human rights in Hungary.
