COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY

UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000680 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/NCE MARC NORDBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL HU ASEC SUBJECT: COUNTER-DEMONSTRATORS CLASH WITH POLICE AT GAY PRIDE PARADE ¶1. Anti-gay protesters violently disrupted Budapest's annual Gay Pride Day Parade on Saturday, July 5, resulting in thirteen damaged police vehicles, the hospitalization of fourteen unidentified persons and the detention of 58 protesters. The clashes were a disappointment but not a surprise given the tenor of rhetoric on far right websites over the past weeks. Although the authorities had prepared for the event by erecting tall metal fences along the parade route to partially shield the marchers, police were unable to fully protect the various politicians and dignitaries in attendance. Some high-level participants were knocked to the ground or had their vehicles attacked by the mob, and remaining marchers were moved to a nearby subway station for protection. Police responded to the counter-demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons, dispersing the rioters into Budapest's large Varosliget park. ¶2. The rioters appeared to have planned extensively for this event and concentrated their presence along the route at locations which appear to have been coordinated in advance. Perhaps most disturbingly, police found six individuals prior to the parade squatting in an unoccupied apartment overlooking the parade route with unidentified chemicals and Molotov cocktails at the ready. The anti-gay protesters pelted the estimated 2000 parade participants with eggs, tomatoes, bottles, cobblestones and other objects along the entire route until reaching the end point at Heroes Square. The protesters then began using gas grenades and Molotov cocktails, which prompted a robust police response. ¶3. In a public statement condemning the violence, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany called on all parties to condemn intolerance and announced that a rally against extremists will be held on September 6. Gyurcsany stated "this is not a police, nor a gay, nor a Jewish, nor a Gypsy, but a common cause." Most parliamentary parties expressed shock at the clashes that occurred, with Fidesz parliamentary faction leader Tibor Navracsics condemning the violence and commenting that it was "unacceptable" that the police were not able to secure public order due to an "impotent" minority government. Center-right media have called for the resignation of both the Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement and the Chief of Police. Speaking for many, Budapest Mayor Gabor Demszky lamented the parade as another blow to Hungary's international image. Foley