MEDLEY MAGYAR – Since the fall of communism the biggest non-partisan demonstration is being organized against violence and exclusion in Budapest with the joint effort of dozens of Hungarian civil organizations. On this event which connects to the International Day of Non-Violence the organizers expect some hundred thousand demonstrators on 4 October to join their peaceful march on Andrássy Road and on Heroes Square.
As peaceful, law-abiding citizens we believe that we have to take action against the social exclusion of minorities and against all forms of violence. Unfortunately, we realized that those who are mandated to ensure the rule of law and public security in our country are not able to use available constitutional tools to do so effectively. Therefore civil society organizations joined efforts to stress their expectations with a mass demonstration. However, this demonstration can be genuine only if it is not led by political interests, and aims to reduce and not deepen political conflicts. We are glad if anybody speaks up against violence, but the organizers of the Medley Magyar demonstration think that the over-politicized Charta is not appropriate to express their discontent. Therefore we decided that we call on all people who want to live in a Hungary without violence and discrimination to join our march on 4 October, on the closest weekend to the International Day for Non-Violence, marked by the United Nations on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. We are confident that after the recently recurring violent, bullying atrocities many agree that a demonstration with an unprecedented crowd can raise the awareness of decision makers and worrying foreigners on the desire of the overwhelming majority of Hungarians to live in a tolerant, peaceful country.
„A grass-root initiative with a broad coverage of civil society organizations has the potential to create a consensus for a noble goal in our politically divided society that fills and not deepens the trenches. It is time to speak up against violence and to stop it! We invite the young and the elderly, the believers and atheists, everybody who shares our belief that plurality is a value, and the path leading to a more human, livable Hungary is openness, acceptance and non-violence,” said the spokesperson of the demonstration.
The Scenario of the Medley Magyar demonstration:
We will gather on Erzsébet Square, in front of the Gödör Club, at 3:30 PM on 4 October, 2008. Péter Novak moderator and Kriszta Bódis, the spokesperson of the Medley Magyar demonstration, a main initiator of the action will provide necessary instructions to the crowd on the spot. Later we will proceed with the march on Andrássy Road, to Heroes Square. On Heroes Square the band called Rácz Kati and the Flush will play on the podium – they were unable to perform last time because of violent attacks, so now we provide another chance to them. Following the music we will read out the Declaration, in which we confirm our faith in the Article 1 of the 70/A paragraph of the Hungarian Constitution and refuse all forms of violence and exclusion. At the end the moderator will ask people to raise the medley textiles brought along – to be photographed from above (from a crane). No speeches will be made at the demonstration and the organizers will not provide any opportunity for anybody to speak. Participants can fill and sign the Declaration, which is attached to the press release. We plan to end the demonstration at 6 PM.
Organizers ask all participants of political life to abstain from commenting the demonstration in public, and to respect the civil independence of the event – but as private individuals they are welcome to join the march.
