Torchlight protesters march in Budapest to the Parliament – UPDATED

The Országos Közös Akarat (National Joint Will) began a solidarity torch-lighting ceremony on Wednesday at 5 PM at Szent Gellért Square in Budapest. From the square, participants are marching to Kossuth Lajos Square.

The demonstration, called “That’s not enough! Hands off the children!“, stands up for abused children.

The demonstrators set off at 5:45 PM on the Liberty Bridge. The bridge was passable by car in the direction of Buda, only in the direction of Pest was the roadway occupied, Telex reports. The route of the march was secured by the organisers. It was repeatedly announced over the loudspeaker that it was a silent, dignified march. No one is shouting slogans.

At the official start time, around 200-300 participants and a relatively large number of police officers turned up at Szent Gellért Square. The mood was peaceful.

In his speech, Sándor Meleg, president of the National Association of Social Workers (Szociális Munkások Magyarországi Egyesülete) and university lecturer, thanked the other social and child protection workers “who are the reason why the care system still works at all”, despite the politically loyal leaders, overwork and other bad circumstances.

The expert pointed out that there are also problems with care for children, the elderly and the homeless, while the government explicitly punishes and discriminates against many social groups. Meleg concluded:

Change must be fought for and fought for together!

Blanka Bercsek, a member of the organising Egységes Diákfront (United Student Front), pointed out that victims of sexual abuse are not supported to stand up for their cause. They cannot count on support to deal with their trauma or even to avoid seeing their abuser again.

Many therefore choose suicide.

A few minutes after 7 PM, the march reached the Parliament.

Activist Illés Gergely said he is fed up with such cases. He said that they must not stop now, so that the government does not sweep the issue under the carpet and conflate paedophilia with homosexuality.

Lola Giay, member of the Egységes Diákfront, said that this is not a divisive issue, everyone wants real child protection. She stressed the need to end abuse, whether physical, psychological or sexual.

Kindergarten teacher Kitti Szilágyi also spoke at the protest, Index reports. She said that today they came to remember and to commemorate. They are here because a tragedy was discovered by chance, but they can no longer act by chance, they can only do their work together, the cause of child protection is above any affiliation.

Szilágyi officially closed the event at 7.15 PM.

Read also:

• Warning: Traffic restrictions in Budapest due to protest on Wednesday
• PHOTOS: Mass demonstration held in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square with 150 thousand partakers – UPDATED