The mayor's determination to uphold LGBTQ rights amidst stringent laws reflects a broader struggle for civil liberties in Hungary.
Budapest Mayor Faces Police Inquiry Over Defiant Pride March
Budapest Mayor Faces Police Inquiry Over Defiant Pride March
Budapest's mayor, Gergely Karacsony, is questioned as a suspect for organizing a banned LGBTQ pride event, igniting tensions with the government.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karacsony is currently embroiled in a police investigation as a suspect in connection with the organization of a banned LGBTQ pride march that took place on June 28. The event defied warnings and potential legal consequences from Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose government instituted a law prohibiting such gatherings earlier this year.
Despite the government's warnings of fines, the rally attracted an unprecedented crowd of around 200,000 individuals and quickly transformed into an anti-government demonstration. Donning a rainbow T-shirt emblazoned with the capital's coat of arms, Mayor Karacsony appeared at Hungary's National Bureau of Investigation for questioning. He expressed his belief in the fundamental right to express love and freedom, stating, "Neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest."
If found guilty, the Mayor faces up to a year in prison for allegedly facilitating participation in the unauthorized pride march. Outside the questioning venue, he addressed approximately 200 supporters and journalists, asserting the accusations against him were baseless and promising to formally contest them. "If it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished," he reiterated, emphasizing the city's commitment to LGBTQ rights.
In March, the government enacted a law restricting gatherings based on child protection grounds, particularly targeting the expression of homosexuality. This latest legal restriction is part of Orban's broader agenda against Hungary's LGBTQ+ community, which also included the removal of legal recognition for transgender individuals in 2020 and the passage of a law in 2021 that prohibits the depiction of homosexuality to minors.
Despite these oppressive measures, Mayor Karacsony publicly committed to organizing the Budapest Pride march as a local event, maintaining that the police lacked the legal authority to prohibit municipal events. Last month, authorities indicated they would not penalize attendees who risked fines of up to €500 for participating in the pride celebrations, highlighting the bold spirit of those rallying in support of LGBTQ rights.
The National Bureau of Investigation, which handles serious and intricate crimes, has opened a case against an "unknown perpetrator" suspected of organizing the pride event, raising concerns about civil liberties and government overreach in Hungary.
