Árpád Schilling, founder of independent theatre Krétakör, who organised the rally together with actor and director Róbert Alföldi, said many people in this country had been living amid fear and hate, even though they do not know those whom they fear and hate. Schilling said the question being asked at the Oct. 2 quota referendum was “phony” and therefore the referendum was a “mockery of democracy”. He said Hungary should voluntarily show solidary with the refugees and other countries.

Representatives of the teachers’ movement Tanítanék said the most important questions relating to the referendum had not been raised because any discussion had been rendered impossible by the “hate campaign”. Several of the speakers quoted from the Bible, from the teachings of Jesus, calling on people to open their hearts to those in need. Participants at the event filled the area in front of the stage set up in Kossuth Square, near the main entrance of Parliament.

At the end of the demonstration, a collage entitled “Aleppo'”, created by several artists, was set on its way around the world. Its first stop will be Serbia. The event was joined by several the organisations, including the Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and Migration Aid.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI Photo Szilárd Koszticsák