The LGBT pride
march originally scheduled for July 5 in Budapest was
canceled by the city's police chief earlier this
week, according to a press release from the
International Lesbian and Gay Association-Europe.
Police chief Gabor Tot said the march was
canceled because it would potentially cause too many
traffic problems in the city that day.
ILGA-Europe, an
LGBT human rights group, expressed the group's
disappointment about the decision. Executive director
Patricia Prendiville said, "One of the main
objectives of any LGBT pride march is to raise
visibility for the LGBT community and communicate the
community's concerns and issues to the wider public.
The police should not be preoccupied with making their
lives and jobs easier by banning the demonstrations or
sending the participants away from the public.
"It is the duty
of the police to ensure that each citizen or group of
citizens has a right to assemble and express their view and
opinions without interference. The law in Europe and
Hungary on this subject is clear, and the police are
there to obey and enforce the law."
The group is
concerned that the decision made by the police chief
was "a sign of giving in to the threats of
ultranationalists." The pride march in Budapest
last year turned violent after protesting extremists
attacked participants. ILGA-Europe had hoped that police in
the city would provide more protection for this
year's march; instead, the police have canceled
the event altogether. ILGA-Europe is now urging the police
chief to reverse his decision. (TheAdvocate)
