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Human chain at the General Assembly meeting
We are here today
because the governing majority
passed a legal modification in October,
which made homelessness a petty offence,
across downtown Budapest,
punishable by public work,
fines
or incarceration.
We are here today
because the General Assembly of Budapest is to vote
István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest: We kindly ask you to take your seats
...on a draft bill
that would significantly extend the area in Budapest
where street homelessness could be penalised.
István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest: I hereby announce
that unidentified persons or organisations have been hindering the delivery of the duties of the public body,
therefore I suspend the assembly meeting, thank you
...All human beings are created equal!
Housing, democracy, rule of law!
Long live the republic!
Dorottya Átol, Activist of the City is for All: We are forming an absolutely peaceful human chain in the assembly without taking political sides
in order for the assembly to withdraw the bill that would ban homelessness in a large area of Budapest.
Since, in spite of what has been rumoured in the media, this decree would ban homeless people from the majority of Budapest
without offering them a real solution, merely sweeping the problem under the rug.
In addition to the World Heritage sites,
29 underpasses,
bus stops and their surrounding areas up to 50 meters,
overpasses, bridges and stairways leading to bridges
will all be forbidden zones for the homeless.
There will also be proposals from 10 districts
including the 13th district, which is headed by a mayor of the opposition party.
The forbidden zones would also involve protected areas such as Normafa, Margaret Island, and City Park
-- homeless people will be banned from all these places.
We are here to stop this and get the assembly to withdraw this inhumane decree.
Reporter: The activists say they will stay until the draft is withdrawn. Is there any chance that it will be withdrawn?
Mária Szűcs Somlyó, communications director of Mr. István Tarlós: It is quite unlikely that the draft bill will be withdrawn. By the way, these activists don't even know what is included in this draft
and what kind of decision will be taken here.
I think they should wait till the members...
Reporter: Why wouldn't they know it, it is all up on the internet?
Mária Szűcs Somlyó: Yes, but for instance, the mayor has announced that one of the points will be withdrawn.
So, perhaps they should see what happens and protest only after the decision,
but The City is for All thinks they know it better or they have a different view.
In any case, we have the patience to wait till the end.
DIGNITY FOR EVERYONE
WE OWE RESPONSIBILITY TO EACH OTHER!
AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS
YES FOR HOUSING, NO FOR HARASSMENT!
SOLIDARITY! POVERTY MUST NOT BE PENALISED!
DIGNITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT
István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest: This is not a protest anymore, you all know it very well.
I have given permission for the protest and you have had the necessary time for it.
But I will not allow you to upset the working routine of the assembly,
nor will I let this story escalate on the grounds of certain political intentions.
The security guards on the grounds will ensure that the work of the assembly may continue,
and if they fail to do so, the police will communicate the consequences and risks through the loudspeaker.
Assembly Member (male): I think we can sit down here.
Assembly Member (female): I think the kind activist will let a woman take her seat?
Assembly Member (male): I am sure about that.
Assembly Member (female): May I kindly ask you to move a little bit to the side? Thank you very much.
Assembly Member (female): Let's try and work, shall we.
Police officer: I ask you to cease the infringing activities and leave the room.
Activists: ...The discrimination
and removal of homeless people from public spaces
do not solve the situation
of people without a home,
but make it even more difficult...
...because we find every measure
that is created against homeless people
and not for them unacceptable.
Police officer: Ok, seize him or we will never finish here.
The exclusion,
discrimination
and removal of homeless people from public spaces
do not solve the situation
of people without a home, but make it even more difficult.
Jenő Keresztes, homeless activist of The City is for All: As you can see, Mr Tarlós ordered a closed meeting after four hours
and removed us forcibly from the room with the help of the police.
The state that tries to deal with social problems by means of law enforcement is a weak one.
They want to remove the homeless from the capital and punish them if they are in public places.
They believe to have solved the problem this way.
But it does not solve the problem of homelessness,
this critical social issue, which evokes ever growing tension, would require a totally different approach.
Activists: Fly poem and tell everyone that we are alive and there is hope.
Sign: Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression, to turn aside the needy from justice and to rob the poor of my people of their right! Isaiah 10: 1-2