To prevent the vote, opponents of the new legislation detonated colored smoke grenades within the Hungarian Parliament.
Hungary’s parliament has approved legislation that effectively prohibits LGBTQ pride events throughout the country. Opposition lawmakers attempted to obstruct Tuesday’s vote by setting off smoke bombs inside the parliamentary chamber.
The law, passed by a vote of 136-27, expands an existing prohibition on exposing minors to LGBTQ content to include public gatherings. It also empowers law enforcement to record attendees for identification purposes. Those participating in banned events could face fines exceeding $500 under the new rules.
The legislation was expedited and passed just a day after being introduced, with support primarily from the ruling Fidesz party and its junior coalition partner, the Christian Democrats.
This recording was accidentally given to me, and it clearly shows who was throwing the notes from above. I hope they will be punished. It’s interesting that Antifa is gathering at Margit Bridge now, does anyone know any specifics about that?
— Josef Krieger®✝🇭🇺🇩🇪🇷🇺✝ (@JosefKrieg99804)
In a final attempt to block the bill, opposition members deployed colored smoke bombs, played Soviet-era music loudly, and otherwise disrupted the proceedings.
No more LGBT Pride parades in Hungary
136 MPs voted in favor of the ban as opposition lit up smoke flares in protest
— RT (@RT_com)
Following the law’s passage, thousands of demonstrators rallied outside the parliament, marched through downtown Budapest, and ultimately blocked traffic on Margaret Bridge, the city’s second-largest bridge. Police reported two arrests due to resistance, although the demonstration was mostly peaceful.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a strong critic of LGBTQ “ideology,” considering it a threat to Hungary’s traditional Christian values and a tool used by globalist elites to weaken nation-states.
Critics contend that Hungary is experiencing a decline in democratic standards under Orban’s leadership. Organizers of Budapest Pride, who are seen as the main target of the new prohibition, have accused the prime minister of implementing “fascism” in the country.
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