Attention! Information for Marchers! Security at Gay Pride March

Welcome to our Gay Pride March! This year we have international guests with us, and different Hungarian and International NGO-s will march with us! For your security please read carefully the following text.

 

Gay Pride March

Assembly: 1pm Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Meeting Place: end of Andrássy út (at Hősök tere)
Opening Speeches: 1:30pm
Start of the Gay Pride March: 2pm End of March: 3:30pm, Erzsébet tér.

 

Route of the March

end of Andrássy út (between Rippl-Rónay and Munkácsy utca) – Kodály körönd – Oktogon – Opera – Erzsébet tér

 

Police Protection

The BRFK has confirmed that the police are prepared to protect the Gay Pride March with serious force. This year the police have promised stronger protection than last year. Thus, we encourage everyone to attend despite the fact that attacks are expected. The police will protect the marchers. The police are going to close down the cross-streets on Andrássy street for a distance of one or two streets from the boulevard, so any attackers will be well beyond throwing distance.

From the Felvonulási tér assembly point to the final destination of the March at Erzsébet tér we will be protected within a police cordon. The police will also protect our departure after the event.

 

Joining the March

It is only possible to join the March at the starting point at Felvonulási tér. The waiting and assembly area at Felvonulási tér will be surrounded by a police cordon; only those entering here will be able to take part in the March. Those arriving late will not be able to join, and there will also be no chance for anyone to leave the route of the March early. The assembly for the March will be from 1-2pm at Felvonulási tér, and we ask that everyone who wishes to take part in the March arrive during this time.

In the interests of your own security, at the entry-gates we will be inspecting everyone: we will examine all bags and packages. The volunteers responsible may deny entry to anyone if they judge that for any reason the presence of the person poses danger to the security of the March, or if his or her behavior at the entry-gate is suspicious.

 

Security Recommendations

Despite the reassuring police promises, on the basis of last year’s experiences, we ask everyone to keep to the following security recommendations.

It is forbidden to bring to the event glass bottles, stabbing or cutting implements, weapons, umbrellas, placards mounted on poles, and any other tools which might cause bodily harm. In addition, you cannot bring water-pistols to the March Only drinking liquids will be allowed into the assembly area, and only in a plastic, unbreakable container. You may be asked to taste your liquid to prove that it is a safe, drinkable substance. We will be inspecting all those entering Felvonulási tér; all this is in the interest of your security. We request your understanding.

Only previously registered groups may ride bicycles in the March.

 

During the March

  • During the course of the March, if any kind of question should arise, ask the many volunteers wearing t-shirts with the Budapest Pride logo. In addition, please try to follow all their advice and requests!
  • Wear comfortable shoes, since the March will last approximately one and a half hours
  • We do not recommend that children, elderly people, physically disabled people, or those with chronic illnesses participate in the March.
  • The March, together with assembly-time, delays, and speeches, will last about 3 and a half hours, so you should be prepared for it to take up a large part of the day. Please bring with you appropriate quantities of water, use sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, cap, or kerchief to keep off the sun, and wear light, airy clothing.

 

Departure

  • It is probably best not to come to the assembly area of the March through the Városliget, because the police cannot keep the entire park under surveillance.
  • After the event go straight to the nearest Metro station, preferably in groups. The police will protect this route.
  • Consider carefully what clothes and shoes to wear to the March. Come in the kind of outfit in which even without police protection you can go home safely.
  • It is possible that we may have to wait at certain points, so plan ahead for the extra time and bring with you water, snacks or any medicine you may require

 

Night-time Entertainment Places 

This year the Rainbow Party following the gay Pride March will be at the “Corvin-tető”. The March organizers have requested a larger policer presence at Blaha Lujza tér, as well as around the Festival’s other locales. During the period of the Festival all gay entertainment places will be actively protected by the police.

 

Rainbow Mission Foundation