Budapest protests limited to minor scuffle, tear gas deployed

Tear gas was deployed against anti-government demonstrators at Astoria, a square in downtown Pest, Tuesday evening, reports fn.hu. September 18th was the first anniversary of the assault on the Hungarian Television headquarters. No further demonstrations are planned in the coming days.

A group of 50 to 60 masked youngsters chanting anti-government slogans began marching from Szabadság tér along Október 6. utca towards Arany János utca at around 8 p.m. They chanted "Wake up!," "Come with us!," "Gyurcsány, get lost!" and "We want to show ourselves!"

A little later, leaders of the Hungarian National Committee 2006 (MNB 2006) ended their demonstration on Szabadság tér after "provocation" by a group of masked youngsters.

The masked protesters were dispersed with tear gas at Astoria. They did not show resistance and fled to nearby minor streets. Police took four people into custody. Some protesters pretended to be passers-by or waiting for a bus to avoid being caught. Police sent away all journalists and photographers not wearing yellow "press" vests.

Meanwhile, three police vehicles collided at Deák Ferenc tér. Reportedly, a vehicle transporting riot police was forced to brake suddenly, and two other cars ran into it from behind. Nobody was injured.

Another protest group, the System Changing Forum (Rendszerváltó Fórum), staged a protest on Kossuth Lajos tér. Speakers announced that the "Y Plan" had not failed, and that blockading public institutions and homes of MPs was still planned. However, according to police, the protesters decided to cancel protests planned for September 19th and 20th on Kossuth tér.

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