There were some scenes of police brutality during the Budapest Pride Parade this past weekend. It was reminiscent of the Gyurcsány-era, when police randomly beat and arrested people. People that were protesting against the parade were also intimidated by private security at checkpoints at the event. There was a heavy police presence and siege-like conditions that existed around the parade. Those that were protesting and demonstrating against the parade were not able to get close to the marchers. The video taken at the parade shows the excessive use of force by the police.
At one point during the protest, the police charge into the crowd with
police dogs. It appears that the demonstrators were protesting
peacefully before they were rushed by police. The clash between the police and the demonstrators occurred at Kossuth Square. The demonstrators were exercising their democratic right to protest when they were rushed and pushed back by the police. Because of the situation at Kossuth Square, the parade ended early. Local traffic was rerouted in many part of the city to accommodate the
parade. Even pedestrian traffic was blocked off in many areas which
inconvenienced many including many tourists. United States Ambassador to Hungary, Eleni Tsakopoulos
Kounalakis was also among the marchers.
István
