The government is responsible for the surge of the far right in Hungary, speakers at an anti-fascist demonstration asserted on Wednesday.
Although the Új Színház theatre has for the time being cancelled István Csurka’s anti-Semitic play The Sixth Coffin, the basic problem still exists that a theatre which has become the home of far-right ideas continues to receive state funds, they said.
Csaba Horváth, head of the Socialist group on Budapest city council, called for ridding Hungary and Europe of extremists and racism through broad social unity.
The Hungarian Resistance Fighters and Anti-Fascists Alliance staged a protest on Deák tér Wednesday afternoon against the activity of Magyar Gárda and the planned staging of The Sixth Coffin.
The 500 demonstrators marched from Deák tér to the theatre, where they were met by a few dozen far-right provocateurs.
Police intervened when several far-right activists attempted to get near the demonstrators via a side street.
Several of them chanted “dirty Jews” and the “train is about to leave”.
Activists from Solidarity, the Free Democrats and the Democratic Coalition took part. The Hungarian Workers Party 2006 and the Green Party were also represented.
Vilmos Hanti, head of the Hungarian Resistance Fighters and Anti-Fascists Alliance, was assaulted by 10-15 people dressed in black after the demonstration.
Hanti gave a telephone interview from an ambulance, as he was taken to hospital for observation.
