Budapest’s Liberal Mayor, Gerley Carsoni, on Friday, was questioned by the police about his participation in this year’s LGBTQ+ Pride March, which was targeted for the ban by the Hungary’s right -wing government. The March, held on June 28, became the biggest event of its kind in the history of Hungary, which defines government efforts to suppress it.
What happened
Curcsoni arrived at Hungary’s National Investigation Bureau of Investigation on Friday morning, where he met a crowd of about 200 supporters. Before entering the police headquarters under the escort, the Mayor addressed his supporters, emphasizing the importance of freedom in the society of Hungary. “A month ago in Budapest Pride, very, many of us told the whole world that neither freedom nor love can be banned in Budapest,” Karsoni said. “And if it cannot be banned, it cannot be punished.”
In response to the investigation, Karsoni was formally accused of organizing a prohibited program. However, he refused to answer police questions during interrogation.
Background and political reference
The dispute in March stems from a law passed by Prime Minister Victor Orban’s government, which banned proud incidents and authorized the use of facial identification equipment to identify the attendees. Despite the threat of law and heavy fines, around 300,000 people participated in March 28, making it a major task of disregarding the Orban government.
Karsoni, known for its generous attitude, has been a vocal critic of the anti-LGBTQ+ policies of the government. The law banning proud events is part of a comprehensive legislative push by ORBán’s fidesz party to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. A 2021 law banned the depiction of homosexuality to minors under the guise of child protection, comparing similar tasks in Russia.
The Hungarian government has implicated the incidents of pride as a violation of children’s rights, claiming that such incidents threaten their moral and spiritual development. This rhetoric has been received with strong condemnation from rights groups and European politicians, who have argued that it is discriminatory and oppressive.
Public support and criticism
While Karsoni is being investigated, Budapest Pride Chairman Victoria Redwani praised him for his moral courage and commitment to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. Speaking outside the investigation headquarters on Friday, Redwani said, “As the mayor, it is not only about arranging public transport … This means that when their rights are attacked, protect and protect citizens.”
Curcsoni spoke even after his interrogation, expressing that the government’s effort to ban pride was returned. He argued that the government has failed its efforts to suppress the LGBTQ+ community, saying, “This force has now weakened and now there is no effect on people’s thinking.”
Given further for the national elections in Vasant 2024, Karsoni implicated the vote as an opportunity for Hungary to recover its position within Europe, where freedom and rights have been retained. “We want to live in a country where freedom is not for the holders of power they want, but for all our compatriots,” he said.
what happens next
Legal proceedings against Karsoni and other proud organizers continue, the government ensured that Gaurav March was organized illegally. While no allegations have been made against the participants, the investigation of those organizing this program is going on.
The comments of the mayor reflect the growing political stress in Hungary, because citizens and
This story can be updated with more information as it becomes available.