Hungary changed the laws and constitution earlier this year, and banned the annual pride celebration with the motivation to "protect children". The Budapest parade has therefore not received any police permit.
On Friday, the country's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said that even if the police will not dissolve the 30th edition of the pride parade, those who participate should be aware that it may have legal consequences. The organizers risk one year in prison, but only participating in the parade can result in fines of approximately 5,000 kronor.
However, the opposition mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, has insisted that no participant should suffer any reprisals since the demonstration – which this time is arranged by the city hall – is a municipal event and does not require police approval.
Despite the risk of fines, more than 35,000 people are expected to gather at Budapest's city hall before Saturday afternoon's parade.
Ministers from several EU countries and dozens of European lawmakers are also expected to participate in defiance of the ban.
We are not just standing up for ourselves, says the organizer Viktoria Radvanyi and continues:
If this law is not repealed, a wave of similar measures can sweep across Eastern Europe.
Corrected: In an earlier version, an incorrect description of the legislative changes occurred.
