Thousands attend anti-racism rally

Some 3,000 people staged a demonstration against exclusion and hate in Szent István park in Budapest's 13th District on Saturday afternoon.

Roma Civil Rights Foundation chairman Aladár Horváth said "a grand coalition prevails as regards anti-Roma feeling: both the left-wing and the liberals have left Gypsies in the lurch and there is every danger of a repeat of the destructive between-the-wars policy."

Horváth opined that "neither the left nor the right wing provided a proper answer to Roma social integration issues, they let poverty grow and then allowed Roma to be linked to crime, unleashing the far right on the country."

Methodist pastor Gábor Iványi said it would be a shame if UN peacekeeping forces were asked to defend Roma rows at the end of villages.

Socialist Party chairwoman Ildikó Lendvai, Education Minister István Hiller, Free Democrat caucus leader János Kóka, Democratic Forum deputy chairman Károly Herényi and Budapest mayor Gábor Demszky also attended, while Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai sent a video message.

Before the demonstration Fidesz 13th district leaders held a press briefing stressing that they condemn racism and the scoring of political points.

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