Budapest Pride
March Canceled for "Traffic" Reasons

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. (The Advocate)