Police prepare for the worst as Budapest Pride march approaches

Budapest police are preparing for organized and brutal attacks by far-right organizations against the participants of the Gay Pride march on July 5, reports Népszabadság. Far-right leaders György Budaházy and László Toroczkai have published invitations on the Internet, calling "Hungarian patriots" to "protect Hungary's honor" on 5 July when "the faggot scum, treading on all basic traditional moral values, organizes an exhibitionist procession and parade". According to Népszabadság, these are the less unappetizing parts of the text.

According to Budapest Police spokesperson Éva Tafferner, only one demonstration related to the Pride march had been registered by Tuesday afternoon, but police are keeping an eye on posts on the Internet and are making every effort to prevent violence and attacks against marchers.

She did not specify how many counter-demonstrators can be expected, and how many police officers will patrol the route, but other sources say that police are concerned that attacks on marchers may be more brutal than those in 2007.

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