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Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands defy ban to join Pride march in Budapest
If Hungary's authorities thought banning this year's Pride march would keep people off the streets, they were wrong. Thousands turned out in Budapest, defying a law which said events like this should be cancelled to protect children. The crowd was determined to fight for their rights. "This is a special march, not just because it was the 30th, but also because it was banned," said Orsi, who proudly wore a rainbow headband and waved a rainbow flag. "I mean that's all the more reason to go out on the street and show that Budapest and is a place where everybody is welcome, where love is equal," she added. Attendees had been warned that just being there could mean a 500 euro fine or prison time for the organisers. They were told police would use facial recognition cameras to identify them, but they didn't care. Orsi said it was worth a fine. Leonas had travelled from Poland to show his support and was also happy to take the risk. "LGBT rights are attacked across the whole world, and we need to defend each other and work with each other," he said. government has repeatedly pitched family values against LGBTQ+ rights. "The mother is a woman, the father is a man and leave our kids alone," he told conservative audiences in the past. He says he is protecting Hungary's Christian values, but critics say this is just part of a wider attack on democracy which has happened during his 15 years in control. The Pride ban is just the latest . In 2020, the country abolished its legal recognition of transgender people, and in 2021, politicians passed a law banning the depiction of homosexuality to under-18s. While many were outraged by the attempt to cancel the Pride march, a small number of far-right activists organised demonstrations to show their support: "Hungary and the Hungarian nation don't want the aggressive LGBTQ+ propaganda. They are dangerous for our families, they are dangerous for our kids," said Gabor Kelemen, a member of the 64 Counties Youth Movement. However, the packed streets showed many disagree. At one point, as far as the eye could see, the march snaked through streets and across the city's bridges. The sound of drums and whistles mixing with gay anthems blaring out of speakers. The organisers said they believed this will be the largest Pride march ever in Budapest. Read more from Sky News: The crowd was eclectic, with Hungarians from different communities joining a demonstration which many believe is now part of a fight for Hungary's future. "This is not only about the complexity of Pride, not only about love or equality... for Hungarians, it's about sticking together, supporting each other, showing the government that we believe in a different kind of Hungary. We believe in freedom, we believe in democracy," said activist Adam Kanicsar. Despite the ban, today Pride attendees were celebrating a victory. But make no mistake, many in Hungary do not support the parade or what they see as an attack on traditional values. Next year, the country will hold a general election, a vote which will expose how divided Hungary really is.
Sky News
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Thousands defy ban to join Pride march in Budapest
If Hungary's authorities thought banning this year's Pride march would keep people off the streets, they were wrong. Thousands turned out in Budapest, defying a law which said LGBTQ+ events like this should be cancelled to protect children. The crowd was determined to fight for their rights. "This is a special march, not just because it was the 30th, but also because it was banned," said Orsi, who proudly wore a rainbow headband and waved a rainbow flag. "I mean that's all the more reason to go out on the street and show that Budapest and Hungary is a place where everybody is welcome, where love is equal," she added. Attendees had been warned that just being there could mean a 500 euro fine or prison time for the organisers. They were told police would use facial recognition cameras to identify them, but they didn't care. Orsi said it was worth a fine. Leonas had travelled from Poland to show his support and was also happy to take the risk. "LGBT rights are attacked across the whole world, and we need to defend each other and work with each other," he said. Viktor Orban's government has repeatedly pitched family values against LGBTQ+ rights. "The mother is a woman, the father is a man and leave our kids alone," he told conservative audiences in the past. He says he is protecting Hungary's Christian values, but critics say this is just part of a wider attack on democracy which has happened during his 15 years in control. The Pride ban is just the latest targeting of LGBTQ+ communities. In 2020, the country abolished its legal recognition of transgender people, and in 2021, politicians passed a law banning the depiction of homosexuality to under-18s. While many were outraged by the attempt to cancel the Pride march, a small number of far-right activists organised demonstrations to show their support: "Hungary and the Hungarian nation don't want the aggressive LGBTQ+ propaganda. They are dangerous for our families, they are dangerous for our kids," said Gabor Kelemen, a member of the 64 Counties Youth Movement. However, the packed streets showed many disagree. At one point, as far as the eye could see, the march snaked through streets and across the city's bridges. The sound of drums and whistles mixing with gay anthems blaring out of speakers. The organisers said they believed this will be the largest Pride march ever in Budapest. The crowd was eclectic, with Hungarians from different communities joining a demonstration which many believe is now part of a fight for Hungary's future. "This is not only about the complexity of Pride, not only about love or equality... for Hungarians, it's about sticking together, supporting each other, showing the government that we believe in a different kind of Hungary. We believe in freedom, we believe in democracy," said activist Adam Kanicsar. Despite the ban, today Pride attendees were celebrating a victory. But make no mistake, many in Hungary do not support the parade or what they see as an attack on traditional values. Next year, the country will hold a general election, a vote which will expose how divided Hungary really is.
Belfast Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Mourners from all corners of Uruguay bid farewell to former leader Jose Mujica
Crowds poured into the streets of Uruguay's capital on Wednesday to bid a poignant farewell to former president Jose Mujica, a guerrilla fighter-turned-pioneering leader who became a hero of the Latin American left. Thousands of people mourning the death of their former leader, affectionately known as 'Pepe', joined the procession as Mr Mujica's flag-covered coffin, borne on a gun carriage, made its way through Montevideo toward the country's parliament over the course of three hours. Mr Mujica died on Tuesday at the age of 89 in his home on the outskirts of Montevideo — a three-room farmhouse where he lived throughout his life and during his presidency (2010-2015), in rejection of Uruguay's opulent presidential mansion. Chants of 'Pepe, dear, the people are with you' rose as the cortege passed. Uruguayans lined the pavements along the route and applauded from balconies. Uruguay's president, Yamandu Orsi – Mr Mujica's long-time interlocutor and protege from his left-wing Broad Front party, declared Wednesday-Friday as national days of mourning in a presidential decree that praised Mr Mujica's 'humanist philosophy', closing the government to all but necessary operations while flags flew at half-mast. A former mayor and history teacher, Mr Orsi, like Mr Mujica, shunned the presidential palace in favour of his family home and has sought to continue Mr Mujica's legacy of humility. Mr Mujica made some of his last public appearances campaigning and casting his ballot for Mr Orsi last autumn. Accompanied by current and former officials — and Mr Mujica's life partner and fellow politician, 80-year-old Lucia Topolansky — Mr Orsi launched the funeral procession in a private ritual at the presidential headquarters, draping a silk national flag over Mr Mujica's coffin. Mr Mujica would have turned 90 next week; he was born on May 20, 1935. During his political career, Mr Mujica earned admiration at home and cult status abroad for legalising marijuana and same-sex marriage, enacting the region's first sweeping abortion rights law and establishing Uruguay as a leader in alternative energy. Before overseeing the transformation of his small South American nation into one of the world's most socially liberal democracies as president, Mr Mujica robbed banks, planted bombs and abducted businessmen as the leader of a violent leftist guerrilla group in the 1960s known as the Tupamaros. Mr Mujica was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2024.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mourners from all corners of Uruguay bid farewell to iconic former President Jose Mujica
Supporters walk behind the casket of Uruguay's former President Jose Mujica during his funeral procession (AP) MONTEVIDEO: Crowds poured into the streets of Uruguay 's capital on Wednesday to bid a poignant farewell to former President Jose Mujica , a guerrilla fighter-turned-pioneering leader who became an icon of the Latin American left , remembered most for his humility, simple lifestyle and ideological earnestness. Thousands of people mourning the death of their former leader, affectionately known as "Pepe," joined the procession as Mujica's flag-covered coffin, borne on a gun carriage, made its way through downtown Montevideo toward the country's parliament over the course of three hours. Mujica died Tuesday at the age of 89 in his home on the outskirts of Montevideo, a three-room farmhouse where he lived throughout his life and during his presidency (2010-2015), in rejection of Uruguay's opulent presidential mansion. Chants of "Pepe, dear, the people are with you!" rose as the cortege passed. Uruguayans lined the sidewalks along the route and applauded from balconies. Uruguay's president, Yamandu Orsi, Mujica's longtime interlocutor and protege from his left-wing Broad Front party, declared Wednesday-to-Friday national days of mourning in a presidential decree that praised Mujica's "humanist philosophy," closing the government to all but necessary operations while flags flew at half-staff. A former mayor and history teacher, Orsi, like Mujica, shunned the presidential palace in favour of his family home and has sought to continue Mujica's legacy of humility. Mujica made some of his last public appearances campaigning and casting his ballot for Orsi last fall. Accompanied by current and former officials, and Mujica's life partner and fellow politician, 80-year-old Lucia Topolansky, Orsi launched the funeral procession in a private ritual at the presidential headquarters, draping a silk national flag over Mujica's coffin. Mujica would have turned 90 next week; he was born on May 20, 1935. During his political career, Mujica earned admiration at home and cult status abroad for legalising marijuana and same-sex marriage, enacting the region's first sweeping abortion rights law and establishing Uruguay as a leader in alternative energy. Before overseeing the transformation of his small South American nation into one of the world's most socially liberal democracies as president, Mujica robbed banks, planted bombs and abducted businessmen as the leader of a violent leftist guerrilla group in the 1960s known as the Tupamaros. Mujica was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April 2024.
14-05-2025
- Politics
Mourners from all across Uruguay bid farewell to iconic former President José Mujica
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Crowds poured into the streets of Uruguay's capital on Wednesday to bid a poignant farewell to former President José Mujica, a guerrilla fighter-turned-pioneering leader who became an icon of the Latin American left, remembered most for his humility, simple lifestyle and ideological earnestness. Thousands of people mourning the death of their former leader, affectionately known as 'Pepe,' joined the procession as Mujica's flag-covered coffin, borne on a gun carriage, made its way through downtown Montevideo toward the country's parliament over the course of three hours. Mujica died Tuesday at the age of 89 in his home on the outskirts of Montevideo — a three-room farmhouse where he lived throughout his life and during his presidency (2010-2015), in rejection of Uruguay's opulent presidential mansion. Chants of 'Pepe, dear, the people are with you!' rose as the cortege passed. Uruguayans lined the sidewalks along the route and applauded from balconies. Uruguay's president, Yamandú Orsi, Mujica's longtime interlocutor and protégé from his left-wing Broad Front party, declared Wednesday-to-Friday national days of mourning in a presidential decree that praised Mujica's 'humanist philosophy," closing the government to all but necessary operations while flags flew at half-staff. A former mayor and history teacher, Orsi, like Mujica, shunned the presidential palace in favor of his family home and has sought to continue Mujica's legacy of humility. Mujica made some of his last public appearances campaigning and casting his ballot for Orsi last fall. Accompanied by current and former officials — and Mujica's life partner and fellow politician, 80-year-old Lucía Topolansky — Orsi launched the funeral procession in a private ritual at the presidential headquarters, draping a silk national flag over Mujica's coffin. Mujica would have turned 90 next week; he was born on May 20, 1935. During his political career, Mujica earned admiration at home and cult status abroad for legalizing marijuana and same-sex marriage, enacting the region's first sweeping abortion rights law and establishing Uruguay as a leader in alternative energy. Before overseeing the transformation of his small South American nation into one of the world's most socially liberal democracies as president, Mujica robbed banks, planted bombs and abducted businessmen as the leader of a violent leftist guerrilla group in the 1960s known as the Tupamaros.
