Thousands take to the streets of Budapest of annual Gay Pride
- 10 years ago
More than ten thousand people have taken part in Gay Pride in Hungary’s capital Budapest.
People of all ages came to call for greater tolerance and protest against discrimination, as well as enjoy a party atmosphere.
The march passed off peacefully with just a few minor incidents. It comes after recent years when violent far-right demonstrators disrupted the marches.
One participant and businessman, Peter Arvai said: “ I feel like there is a big change happening in Budapest. A few years ago there was riots by some protesters. Today more than seven hundred companies in Hungary have come out in support for pride.”
Dozens of far-right extremists including neo-Nazis held anti-gay protests but a heavy police presence prevented them from getting near the march.
Elsewhere, in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Gay Pride was cancelled after police said they couldn’t guarantee the safety of those taking part – a decision criticised by Amnesty international.
Euronews correspondent in Budapest, Gergely Bartfai says the 19th Budapest Pride Festival was basically peaceful. Although there were some smaller incidents it showed that fundamentally Budapest is a tolerant European city.
People of all ages came to call for greater tolerance and protest against discrimination, as well as enjoy a party atmosphere.
The march passed off peacefully with just a few minor incidents. It comes after recent years when violent far-right demonstrators disrupted the marches.
One participant and businessman, Peter Arvai said: “ I feel like there is a big change happening in Budapest. A few years ago there was riots by some protesters. Today more than seven hundred companies in Hungary have come out in support for pride.”
Dozens of far-right extremists including neo-Nazis held anti-gay protests but a heavy police presence prevented them from getting near the march.
Elsewhere, in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Gay Pride was cancelled after police said they couldn’t guarantee the safety of those taking part – a decision criticised by Amnesty international.
Euronews correspondent in Budapest, Gergely Bartfai says the 19th Budapest Pride Festival was basically peaceful. Although there were some smaller incidents it showed that fundamentally Budapest is a tolerant European city.