Chief gives in to Gay Pride
Written by Ágnes Lukács
Monday, 16 June 2008
http://www.budapesttimes.hu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7936&Itemid=27March cancelled, reinstated within 24 hours
Police chief Gábor Tóth last Thursday gave in to public pressure and granted permission for the Gay Pride parade planned for 5 July after banning it a day earlier on the grounds that it would obstruct public transport and road traffic.
The original police decision provoked anger, and immediately sounded alarm bells with Mayor Gábor Demszky. "In this situation every democrat must raise their voice against cowardly troublemakers and call on the police to do everything to ensure the protection of peaceful marchers and spectators. As city mayor it is my duty to stand up for all those who are persecuted in Budapest due to their affiliation, faith, or sexual orientation. That is why I will personally take part in the event to underline the fact that Budapest is a free and tolerant city where every minority can represent its identity," he said in a statement. Caucus leader of the governing Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), Ildikó Lendvai, also called on the police chief to rethink the decision.
