Nick Thorpe
BBC Budapest Correspondent
Tens of thousands have gathered for the Budapest Pride march, defying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s legal threats against LGBTQ rights activists.
Organisers estimated that a record 200,000 people may have taken part despite mounting pressure from nationalist conservative politicians and police to stop any display of pro-LGBTQ material.
The police issued a ban in line with a new “child protection” law restricting gatherings considered to be promoting homosexuality.
Orban downplayed the possibility of violent clashes between police and participants, but warned of potential legal repercussions for attendees.
“Of course, the police could break up such events, because they have the authority to do so, but Hungary is a civilised country, a civic society. We don’t hurt each other,” he told state radio on Friday.
“There will be legal consequences, but it cannot reach the level of physical abuse.”
Attendees risk a fine of up to €500 (£427; $586), with police empowered to use facial recognition technology to identify them.
Organisers could face a one-year prison sentence.
Luca, 34, who is planning to attend with her mother Enikö, said they want a country of “diver
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