72-year-old activist to Orban: ‘You won’t take our right to protest.’
Last week, Hungary’s parliament passed a controversial law banning the annual Pride march, claiming it could “harm children.” The ruling Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, pushed the law through quickly, also allowing facial recognition to track protesters.
On Tuesday, around 2,000 people gathered in Budapest, shouting slogans like “Europe!” and “Filthy Fidesz!” Some even blocked a key bridge in defiance. Protesters argued that the law wasn’t just about Pride—it threatened freedom of assembly for everyone.
Zsuzsa Szabo, a 72-year-old protester, put it simply: “This is not about Pride, this is about freedom.” Activists fear the law could be used to suppress all protests, not just LGBTQ+ events.
Meanwhile, Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karacsony, slammed the law, and opposition parties like Momentum lit smoke flares in protest. Pride organizers insist the march is safe and vow to go ahead despite the ban.
With elections coming in 2026, Orban is doubling down on his conservative agenda, targeting LGBTQ+ rights and foreign-funded NGOs. Critics say this is just another move to silence dissent.
As tensions rise, one thing is clear: Hungary’s fight for freedom is far from over.
Also Read: Turkey in Turmoil: Opposition Leader’s Call to Protest Sparks Nationwide Unrest
