PHOTOS: Mass demonstration held in Budapest’s Heroes’ Square with 150 thousand partakers – UPDATED
Civil groups organised a demonstration in support of victims of child abuse and for “a healthy society” at Heroes’ Square in downtown Budapest on Friday evening.
The demonstration was organised by online content creators, saying they considered it important to speak out for the protection of victims, transparency, human decency and honest social dialogue.
Activist Márton Gulyás of the YouTube channel Partizán thanked those attending the demonstration for standing up for victims and a child protection reform.
Influencer Zsolt Osváth of the channel ZSHOW Time, who mentioned that he, too, had grown up in a children’s home, said he wanted to raise awareness of “systemic problems … of which the clemency case is just the tip of the iceberg”. He said an institute will never be able to fill the void left by the absence of a family, but the state had to do everything possible to mitigate that absence.
UPDATE 1
According to Szeretlek Magyarország, 50 thousand people took part on the demonstration. If that is true, it has been the largest protest since the demonstration for the abolishment of the Orbán cabinet’s so-called Internet tax proposal.
UPDATE 2
The organizers said in an Instagram post that there were at least 150 thousand people on the Heroes’ Square yesterday evening. Here is the post:
A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon
UPDATE – more speeches
YouTuber Márton Szabó asked what the government would do to make sure that children in institutional care grow up in humane conditions, to make sure they get a quality education, and to make sure they have somewhere to turn if they are abused.
Singer Azahriah (Attila Baukó) addressed the event in a video message, saying that the government “was using parents’ concern to incite against something, which is then converted into political gain”.
He called for improving the safety of children. “It’s time to wake up,” he said, calling for change through joining together.
People who abuse children should be “cut into pieces”
Digital content creator Orsi Tapasztó, who spoke as an adoptive parent, said some 7,000 children in Hungary were living in children’s homes, most of whom will never be taken in by a family. She thanked children’s home teachers for teaching children how to love and giving them back the ability to trust. She asked decision-makers to ensure that all children in institutional care can live in safety.
Influencer Eszter Fancsikai said she agreed with the prime minister that people who abuse children should be “cut into pieces”, but if she did that as a mother, it would be considered vigilante justice. That is why there is a need for real child protection and a well-functioning legal system, she added.
YouTuber Edina Pottyondy, former board member of the Momentum party, criticsed the absence of an independent investigation into the decision behind the president’s pardon. She said real child protection would be the improvement of education, the social and health-care sectors and child protection authorities. She called for a child protection law that protected victims.
“This demonstration won’t change the world, but it can change people’s mentality,” she said.
Read also:
- Mass demonstration in Budapest downtown: traffic, public transport changes – Read more HERE
Here are some photos:
Remember Alexei Navalny whom the Putin regime now murdered for exposing the corruption of Putin’s government and daring to present himself as an opposition leader. The murderous Russian regime is the ally of Orban. Don’t mistake what is coming for Hungary. Fiidesz will go after those who expose the corruption of Orban and his associates. Hungary needs to be liberated from this dictatorship.
To THINK, that in the same HISTORIC Square, to me it’s a Sacred Place, in 1989, the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban, took to the stage spoke to a packed square, that was broadcast by radio & television to ALL of Hungary – all of Europe and the Global World – talking of the right to rid the Russian Communist Government control of Hungary and embrace DEMOCRACY that it was our FUTURE our freedom.
To THINK again in the same Historic Square, in 1991, the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban, sat in the front row of the VIP seating to hear Saint Pope John Paul 11 – in his sermon to Hungary – ALL of Hungary – his words to this day etched in stone for ALL to read in Hero’s Square;
“Be Mindful of the Blessings that Freedom, which you have DEFINITIVELY secured means for your FUTURE.
Cherish it and make Good use of your Liberty.”
The WALL had been FELLED.
Orban “mouthed” in 1989 – DEMOCRACY – our way forward.
Orban – he sat LISTENED in 1991 – words of Saint Pope Paul 11 – “Freedom Liberty .”
What Hungary, what have we been given on 15 years under this current Prime Minister – Victor Orban – what has he DELIVERED us – the “felling” of Hungary – the over-all state of Hungary, not just our “Crippled” collapsing ECONOMY, but every aspect of NEED – that we Hungarians need to live our lives peacefully, calmly, sharing, giving, respecting and loving each other and our country – Hungary.
Victor Orban – has SMASHED our way of life and our personal Futures in millions and the Future of Hungary.
It’s TIME – people power through SOLIDARITY orderly – to build PRESSURIZATION on Orban and his Government, to make CHANGE – to FREE ourselves again that Freedom & Liberty is FREE again in Hungary and that we are not under a DICTATORSHIP that is being by Orban practiced in Hungary.
Steiner Michael & mariavontheresa :
Come on – what’s your response – your criticism, from your Political base of being FULLY paid up members of the Orban / Fidesz “Ideology” that has STUFFED Hungary.
The “crumbling ” dismantling of the Oban ways of RULING this country Hungary, the abandonment of Democracy, in its Core functionality, the total loss of friendships with country’s Governed under DEMOCRACY, the “paper thin” retainment of Membership in the European Union, the United States of America and of Great Britain & Northern Ireland, the relationship with both – Dissolved – come on – practice DEMOCRACY under “Freedom of Speech” – and say your PIECE.
Be not Afraid – be inclusive if you write a commentary, the FACT, your “Adored” call him Demigod – Victor Orban – rightful political agenda or strategy, reversing Politically our country from a Democracy to that of his “Beloved” growing friendships with Russia and China ruled under DICTATORSHIPS.
Don’t “hedge your bets” endeavouring attempting – to have as Orban wrongfully “try’s on” – having a piece of both sides of the cake.
It’s either you support Hungary as a DEMOCRACY or the on-going escalation of us, under Orban becoming Governed under communistic laws – way of Governance titled a DICTATORSHIP.
Victor Orban – the “weight” of increasing pressurization he carries – personally and as a Prime Minister, his Political image reputation SMASHED – how do you Envisage he will attempt to “WORM” him-self out of this blackening “Nadir” ?
It’s growing happening SOLIDARITY is expanding throughout Hungary – the 15 years of Victor Orban – it’s EXCEEDED it’s use by date, the destruction it NOW is factually exhibiting to Hungarians, Europe and the Global World.
Orban has HUMILIATED the name HUNGARY.
there was also 100,000
According to the Mérce it is 200,000, but let’s agree on it
https://merce.hu/2024/02/16/mar-kezdes-elott-tizezre-tomeg-gyult-ossze-az-influenszerek-a-kegyelmi-ugy-miatti-tuntetesere-a-hosok-teren/
These are the same people demanding tampons in highschool boys toilets.
8 yr olds don’t need parents permission for sex change- they suck on US media and tech that has destroyed there brains.-
If it was 200k the insane it gets. Same time farmers all across the EU are fighting for there existence.