Tens of thousands defy Hungary’s ban on Pride in protest against Orbán

Crackdown on Pride is part of effort to curb democratic freedoms ahead of a hotly-contested election next year

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets of Budapest in defiance of the Hungarian government's ban on Pride, heeding a call by the city's mayor to come calmly and boldly to stand together for freedom, dignity and equal rights".

Jubilant crowds packed into the city's streets on Saturday, waving Pride flags and signs that mocked the country's prime minister, Viktor Orban, as their peaceful procession inched forward at a snail's pace.