Tensions were already running high as the 160th anniversary of the 1848 revolution on the 15th March approached. The police had already cordoned off Kossuth Square and more than 2000 riot police were deployed around the parliament days before the anniversary.

Mathaba — A few hundred protesters turned up at Kossuth Square, in the centre of Budapest, where the official commemorations were about to start with the ceremonial raising the Republic’s flag attended by President Solyom and Hungary’s PM Gyurcsany, on Saturday morning 9am.

The demonstrators were outside the previously cordoned off area and shouting “Gyurcsany, f.ck off!” Heavy police presence can be seen at the Square.

By 10.15 a.m. 1,500 to 2,000 anti-government demonstrators were marching towards the official government celebrations at the National Museum. The crowd was led by Reverend Jnr. Hegedus after a memorial had been held at Szabadsag (Freedom) Square. The crowd was shouting anti-government slogans. Israeli-connected IN-KAL, the security for the official government celebrations confirmed that they would “remove anyone who is protesting against PM Gyurcsany”.

At 11.15 a.m. there are only a handful of people at the official government commemoration at the National Museum. Observers noticed that there were no flags – no official government speeches and certainly no speech from PM Gyurcsany.

Five minutes later the 2,000 strong anti-government crowd had reached their next stop at Fovamhaz Square. There was no confrontation at that time, with the few dozen people at the official celebration nor with the few thousand police guarding them.

Fifteen minutes later, at 11.35 a.m. local Hungarian time, 2 bigger units of the Hungarian Guard left Fovamhaz Square and were marching through Vaci street in formation, with enthusiastic citizens shouting “Go on, Guard!”. The Hungarian Guard joined Reverend Jnr. Hegedus’ memorial at Szabadsag Square in the morning and assisted to remove the red paint from the sculpture of Hungarian novelist and legend Albert Wass that had been vandalised some week earlier.

20 minutes later at 11.55 a.m. Reverend Hegedus asked the crowd at Fovamhaz Square: “Where has Petofi’s revolution faded? Where are the ideas that once represented the 1848 revolution?” “The liar government and their allies befoul the very steps where Petofi recited the 12 points” he added. Hegedus urged national organisations and parties to cooperate together. He also had a message to Simon Peres, the Israeli President, who months ago announced that “Israel is buying up Hungary”: “Petofi would say: “Occupy your wh_re mother, not our country!”.

An hour later at 12.55 p.m, more than 1,500 anti-government demonstrators arrived at 15 March Square, where the Liberal SZDSZ party member Demszky, Budapest’s Mayor tried to make a speech. He was guarded by hundreds of police and IN-KAL security guards fearing that last year’s incidents would be repeated when demonstrators threw eggs at the Mayor. Police cordoned off the area so demonstrators were outside the “throwing zone”. Nevertheless, they do their best by throwing eggs, tomatoes etc, shouting “To prison!” and “Treason!”.

Reuters reported clashes between demonstrators and the police, saying they responded to the egg throwing with tear gas rounds. A police spokesman said that 21 people were arrested in minor clashes throughout the day and that three police had been lightly injured. — Mathaba

From Here.