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Protest in Hungary interrupted: police quickly stop anti-Orbán government demonstration
Another anti-government protest took place in Budapest on Tuesday, but it ended much sooner than previous demonstrations due to a significantly stronger police presence and swift action by the authorities.
Independent MP Ákos Hadházy and the Momentum Movement called on supporters to gather at Ferenciek Square. The original plan was to hold the protest on the Erzsébet Bridge, but the Kúria (Supreme Court) denied the request, citing traffic concerns and the disproportionate disruption of others’ rights and freedoms. As a result, protesters were forced to assemble nearby instead.
Interestingly, while the anti-government protest was banned, a pro-Fidesz demonstration organised by a government-friendly artist was allowed to go ahead at the foot of the Erzsébet Bridge.
Ahead of the gathering, the police issued a warning on their official website, reminding participants that stepping outside the legal framework of peaceful assembly could endanger their safety and would lead to police intervention—carried out lawfully, professionally, and proportionally.
According to Hadházy, the protest ban was politically motivated, pointing out that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, had repeatedly criticised previous bridge blockades. Orbán had publicly stated that it was “not normal” for thousands of people to be stuck in traffic because of a few hundred demonstrators and warned that if courts made decisions against the government’s will, laws would be changed accordingly.
By 5 PM, Ferenciek Square was filled with demonstrators. The area was heavily guarded, and protesters were prevented from stepping onto the road. Police lined both sides of the street to ensure that traffic on Szabad Sajtó Road remained uninterrupted, while chants like “assembly is a basic right” and “filthy Fidesz” echoed through the square.
Later, some participants attempted to block Szabad Sajtó Road, but were stopped by more than 100 police officers. Pedestrians were redirected through the underpass, and eventually, a group of protesters sat down on the roadway of the Liberty Bridge. Police quickly surrounded them, requested identification, and began removing those who refused to get up. Officers lifted individuals off the ground one by one and cleared the bridge.
The police stated that this action was taken to ensure traffic safety. According to a Momentum representative, the party will cover any fines imposed on demonstrators.
Hadházy remained on the bridge for a while before returning to Ferenciek Square to thank supporters. Later on Facebook, he said the series of protests would continue on 1 May and added that it was important that many people attend the “peaceful but resolute” protest. He added that the police had not licensed the planned 1 May protest either, which he said created a new situation. Hadházy said he would launch an online vote on Wednesday to ask “what should be done at the next occasion”. He added, however, that stopping the series of protests would not be among the options.
According to the police, by around 7:30 PM, the Liberty Bridge had been reopened to traffic, and transportation on both Szabad Sajtó Road and the Erzsébet Bridge resumed without disruption.
Read here for more news about demonstrations in Hungary
Read also:
- Demonstrators occupied Elisabeth Bridge in Budapest again – details and PHOTOS
- Large crowds occupied Budapest bridge, Buda Castle protesting against parliament decision
Don’t these impressionable “students” have any assignments to do, such as term papers and projects?
I believe these students are trying to do something to make their country a better place to avoid fleeing away and be labelled as “Cowards”.
Students often end up at the forefront of protests in democratic countries for a few overlapping reasons:
1. Time, Energy, and Idealism
More free time: Compared to older adults with full-time jobs or families, students usually have more flexibility to organize, attend, and sustain protests.
Passionate and idealistic: Young people tend to have strong beliefs and a sense that the world should be better. That makes them more willing to challenge the status quo.
2. Education and Access to Information
In democratic societies, universities often encourage critical thinking and exposure to diverse ideas. Students are learning about politics, history, justice — and how to question systems.
They usually have good access to the internet and social media, which are key tools for organizing and spreading awareness.
3. Fewer Risks (Relatively Speaking)
In democracies, the consequences for protesting are generally less severe than in authoritarian regimes. Students might face police or university discipline, but not usually torture or imprisonment. That said, risks still exist.
Many students don’t yet have careers or mortgages that might be jeopardized by public dissent, so the personal cost of protesting can be lower.
4. Cultural and Historical Precedent
Student movements have historically played big roles in social change — think of the Civil Rights Movement in the US, the 1968 protests in France, Tiananmen Square in China, or more recently, climate protests led by Greta Thunberg’s generation.
This creates a kind of cultural script where students see themselves as agents of change.
5. Universities as Political Spaces
Universities are natural hubs for activism: lots of people the same age, engaged in learning, often concentrated in cities. It’s easier to build momentum there than in more dispersed or older populations.
Why Students Protest in Hungary
Concerns Over Academic Freedom
One major flashpoint was the forced relocation of Central European University (CEU) in 2018, which many saw as an attack on independent institutions and academic freedom. Students were central in protesting that.
More recently, university autonomy has been under threat, with the government shifting many public universities into “foundations” run by political allies. Students see this as political control over education.
Authoritarian Tendencies
When checks and balances weaken, protests are often one of the few remaining tools for civil society. Students may feel a responsibility to speak up while older generations are more cautious or resigned.
In a system where media is increasingly controlled and dissent is stigmatized, youth activism becomes even more visible and symbolic.
Nationalist vs. Globalist Tensions
Hungarian youth, especially those in universities, often lean more pro-European and liberal than the ruling Fidesz party’s nationalist and conservative stance.
There’s a generational split: students are more likely to value EU integration, multiculturalism, and progressive values, so they’re more motivated to push back when those seem under threat.
No Illusions About the Future
Young people in Hungary often face economic precarity, limited job opportunities, or the need to emigrate for a better future. That frustration fuels activism.
When you don’t feel you have much to lose at home, you might as well try to change it.
Social Media & Global Influence
Hungarian students, like others in democratic countries, are highly connected to global protest cultures — whether it’s climate activism, women’s rights, or press freedom. That global inspiration feeds local resistance.
It rightly BUILDS.
The reason(s) why we are – will continue to SEE – demonstrations that must be conducted under “non-violent resistance” – that under DEMOCRACY – the right of people to – OPPOSE, Question, Challenge – wanting CHANGE, wanting DIALOGUE – the “Core” of DEMOCRACY – the right of people to march demonstrate in SOLIDARITY for a CAUSE.
Exasperation grows in Hungary, from people in our population, from “all stations in life” – RIGHTLY.
DISCIPLINE must be exercised in the GROWTH – of people already in millions “non-violent resistance” – in DEMONSTRATIONS.
Hungary, we are coming from a SLAUGHTERED position as a country by the Orban – Fidesz Government.
Hungary – its PERSONAL, it’s FAMILY, it’s our children, our Grand-children, our Careers – our Quality of Life – and the FUTURE of Hungary – the TYPE of Hungary we Hope & Pray for – an OPPORTUNISTIC country – Hungary, and not what this Orban led Fidesz Government have DELIVERED us as a country to at this time that can only WORSEN.
NEVER, never, never – must Hungary be a country ever again – after we in SOLIDARITY cause the DOWNFALL of the Orban led Fidesz Government, we never can NEVER – be under the word GOVERNED under a “heinous” Government, led by Victor Mihaly. Orban that TYRANNICAL.
Truth is TRUTH.
In SOLIDARITY – our growing in thousands the REALIZATION – the WANT of Change – the want of a FUTURE personally and as a country – we must be DISCIPLIED, we must be of “non-violent resistance” and that we are supporters participants – in the PRACTICE in our words, and in DEMONSTRATIONS of TRUTH.
TRUTH – please fellow Hungarians because TRUTH will SET us FREE.
Freedom & Liberty – what WE must SEEK – UNINHIBITED being provided to live our lives, being able to express OUR feelings or thoughts – unselfconsciously – and without RESTRAINT.
Pressurization intensifies ALL around and OVER the name Orban and his Fidesz Government.
Orban – his Government can’t AVOID the “Vesuvius” nearing erupting OVER them.
Discipline, in our conduct, the want of, the NEED of Change in Political Governance of Hungary – we must be of “non-violence resistance” in our SOLIDARITY of DEMONSTRATION in OPPOSING – wanting the removal outing of the Orban led Fidesz Government that ALL all and ALL – is under driven by TRUTH.
Reme’lem hogy felno”to”k el olvasa’k eszt, de nekem Magyar nyelvbe lassu el mondani eszt sajnos mert nincs nekem a fontos szavak ijen dologhoz. Iyen dolog majdnem minde’g kinti orsza’gokbol vannak ira’nyitva, fizetve. Millio pe’nz van fizetni meg be hozni demonsztre’torokat. Nem fontos mi a terve’ny stb csak az fontos hogy sok ne’pet fel me’rgesitjenek. TIANANMEN SQUARE igy kezdet e’s leg to”b dia’kok nem tudta’k az a napokba hogy van puska ko”zo”tu”k kinti idegeny emberknek e’s mikor kezdenek a katona’kara lo”vegetni, minden nagyon roszra fog fordulni a so”te’tbe. Fijatalok nem igaza’n e’rtik a vila’gi tervet.
Meg kel az interneten ne’zni hogy IRELAND meg USA be mijen ko”nyveket tettek az iskola’kba 12 e’ves gyerekeknek szeksua’lis explicit dologrol….meg ko”nyvta’rba egede’jt adtak ojan fijatal e’v to”l a felno”t ko”nyveket haszna’lni mikor ki kellet a gyermekek re’sz to”l el venni. Meg vonnak gyerekek propogenda’jzva hogy amirol oszta’ljba besze’d van, ne vigye’k haza…igy szu”lo” a’t ne’ze’s nincs. Me’r kel egy fijatal gyereket meg tanitani hogy az interneten meg ismerhet ko”zel ko”rnye’kbe szexua’lis kapcsolatra embereket aki majd tanitja’k o”ket….A to”b szines za’lszlok, a fetis fajta emberek lassan be csapja’k az ege’sz ne’pet akik meg szokja’k minden fajta nem norma’lis viselkede’st, o”to”ze’st adig me’g a ve’ge’n el hiszik hogy ami nem norma’lis csak uj dolog amit musza’j el viselni…me’g a munkaheljbe is. A munkaheljbe, az uca’n stb sex fetis nek nincs helje, nem rendes to”rve’ny.
Job ha tanulnak a bolondsa’grol ma’s orszagokba mi elo” fordult mikor minden lassan meg let engedve a buta’knak, a hangosaknak mert a ne’p ko”nyen be van csapva fokozatosan adig me’g nem is hiszi mi to”rte’nt az ege’sz ne’pse’gbe.
Blocking thousands of live for hours along with traffic is not peaceful especially when it goes on for weeks
We know the EU is behind this. They want hungary out so they continue the killing in Ukraine and willing to spend a trillion to put boots on the ground.
Orban is the one leader in the EU against it and done so for 3 years.. hungary one of the few who refuses to let in the third world.
if dont fight for your future, then there will be no future. If EU is behind this, why the young Hungarians are leaving? i mean, is not logical to you? no one of the young people believes in the Hungarian golden age. Old people can stay, no one is putting a gun on young people to leave or to stay. and actually, take a look to hungary, is it 1st world? i dont think so!
I think it is Soros! And the Liberal Elites!
Hungary, or, actually, Orbánistan, this shameful quasi-dictatorial regime ruled by an obese paranoid gangster, has become the pariah of Europe.
Tm, government propaganda is working well with people like you. Protests, everywhere, are causing traffic as it is the only way to be heard. Think about Taxi protests In the past which blocked traffic several times. About Ukrainian war, orban always talk about sovereignty of a country but he doesn’t care about Ukraine sovereignty, it’s demagogy and we are already in WOrld War 3, most of the world is playing a role in the Russian Ukrainian war….
Ferenciek tere is a great place to stop for a draft beer when you finish your protest. The irony is that the Ibolya Presso is Orban’s favourite spot from when he was a student. I fully support freedom to protest but I have concerns about excessive public disruption on a continuous basis. We had extreme right-wing protests in Canada in 2022 involving truckers who paralyzed Ottawa for three weeks and cut off the bridge through which 20% of all Canada-US trade went through. The “Convoy Protest” halted $4 billion in trade and made life hell for thousands of residents in Ottawa. Kossuth ter in front of Parliament is the starting point of where protests should be.