Hungarians Block Liberty Bridge to Protest Budapest Pride March in 2025

Budapest, June 28, 2025 — Tensions escalated in Budapest as members of far-right groups, including activists from the Mi Hazánk (Our Homeland) party and the Hatvannegy Varmegye Youth Movement, blocked the iconic Liberty Bridge (Szabadság Bridge) to prevent the annual Budapest Pride march from proceeding. Despite a controversial government ban on the LGBTQ+ event, tens of thousands defied the restrictions, turning the march into a massive demonstration against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies. This article explores the events, their implications, and the global response to the clash over LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary.

Background: Hungary’s Ban on Budapest Pride

In March 2025, Hungary’s parliament, dominated by Orbán’s right-wing Fidesz party, passed legislation banning LGBTQ+ marches, citing “child protection” as the justification. The law, part of a broader clampdown on LGBTQ+ rights, prohibits public events that “promote homosexuality” and allows the use of facial recognition technology to identify participants, with fines up to 200,000 Hungarian forints ($586) for attendees and potential jail time for organizers.

The Budapest Pride, marking its 30th anniversary in 2025, was officially banned by police, but the city’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, declared it a municipal event, arguing it did not require police approval. This move set the stage for a confrontation between Pride supporters and far-right groups opposing the march.

Liberty Bridge Blockade: Far-Right Protest

On June 28, 2025, far-right activists, led by Mi Hazánk and supported by groups like the Hatvannegy Varmegye Youth Movement, occupied the Liberty Bridge to block the Pride march’s planned route. Előd Novák, deputy chairman of Mi Hazánk, criticized the government for not enforcing the ban strictly, stating, “We will not allow the LGBTQ propagandists to continue their march.” The blockade was described as a “patriotic” effort to prevent what they called “aggressive LGBTQ propaganda.”

Some protesters erected a wooden cross adorned with anti-LGBTQ+ messages, and a youth movement member told media, “They’re dangerous to our kids… You can see in many LGBTQ Prides they try to ‘educate’ our children & this is dangerous.” The blockade temporarily stalled the march at Astoria, with police initially preventing Pride participants from crossing the bridge.

Budapest Pride Defies Ban with Record Turnout

Despite the blockade and legal threats, over 35,000 people gathered for the Budapest Pride march, renamed “Budapest Pride Freedom,” making it potentially the largest in its history. Rainbow flags filled the streets as marchers, including Hungarians, EU lawmakers, and international supporters, crossed the Elisabeth Bridge instead, defying the government’s restrictions. Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony and EU Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib joined the event, emphasizing solidarity with Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community.

Seventy Hungarian civil society groups, including the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and Transparency International Hungary, issued an open letter on June 27, condemning the ban as an attempt to “intimidate the entire society.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and over 30 embassies, including those of Britain, France, and Germany, called for the march to proceed without sanctions.

Akos Horvath, an 18-year-old student from southern Hungary, told AFP, “It’s not just about representing gay people, but about standing up for the rights of the Hungarian people.” The march, which started at City Hall Park at 2 PM, was described as a peaceful protest for democracy and freedom of assembly.

Global Backlash and Support for Pride

The ban and subsequent blockade sparked international outrage. Critics, including human rights organizations, compared Hungary’s policies to Russia’s restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights, accusing Orbán of undermining democratic freedoms. The European Parliament saw calls for action, with MEP Iratxe García Pérez stating, “We will march alongside [Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community] proudly and loudly.”

France issued travel warnings, highlighting risks of surveillance and fines, while 20 EU member states urged Hungary to revise its legislation, citing violations of EU values like human dignity and equality. Orbán, however, dismissed these criticisms, likening von der Leyen’s intervention to “orders from Moscow” during communist times.

Implications for Hungary and Beyond

The events of June 28, 2025, highlight the deepening divide in Hungary over LGBTQ+ rights and democratic freedoms. While the Pride march’s success signals strong public support—backed by a 2024 poll showing 53% of Hungarians accept same-sex relationships—the government’s restrictive policies and far-right actions indicate ongoing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community.

The blockade of Liberty Bridge by far-right groups underscores the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, fueled by nationalist rhetoric. However, the massive turnout at Budapest Pride suggests a growing resistance to Orbán’s policies, with implications for Hungary’s 2026 elections, where opposition groups aim to challenge Fidesz’s dominance.

Conclusion

The clash at Liberty Bridge during Budapest Pride 2025 reflects broader tensions between progressive values and nationalist policies in Hungary. As the LGBTQ+ community and its allies continue to push back against restrictive laws, the international community watches closely, with Hungary’s actions raising questions about the future of human rights in the European Union. For now, the resilience of Pride marchers and their supporters sends a powerful message: the fight for equality and freedom persists, even in the face of bans and blockades.

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