Budapest demonstators barred from alternative protest area

An alternative location for the anti-government protests that had been held in front of Parliament has also been barred to protestors, origo.hu reports. Protesters who had been encamped on Kossuth Lajos tér since last month have not been allowed to move to nearby Városháza tér, because the Budapest municipal government has declared it a "construction area."

After policed sealed off Kossuth tér from protesters on Monday, leaders of the demonstrations announced they would move to Városháza tér, which is near the scene of the most heavy fighting on Monday between police and protesters. They had wanted to keep a vigil at Parliament until March, but the area has not been ruled off-limits to such events.

The Office of the Mayor of Budapest (Főpolgármesteri Hivatal) told origo.hu that Városháza square was inspected after Monday's riots and found to be dangerous, as the electric system of the outdoor lighting was damaged. Until such damages are reparied, the park will remain closed.

András Takács, one of the leaders of the protesters, said that they would continue to look for other locations.

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