Attack on Auróra cultural and civic community center
On 23 October 2019, Hungarian far-right group Légió Hungária vandalized cultural and civic community center Auróra in Budapest. For the past few years, Auróra has been targeted several times by the far right.
Auróra is a social enterprise in Budapest that connects cultural programs and civil and activist organizations to foster cooperation among them, and strengthen civil sector and participatory democracy. Auróra functions as a hub for Roma Press Centre, School of Public Life, Budapest Pride, Marom, Dor Hadaz, Invisible School, Atlatszo, Streetlawyer, and Pneuma Szöv. who work on the rights of marginalised and stigmatised groups.
On 23 October 2019, Hungarian far-right group Légió Hungária vandalized cultural and civic community center Auróra in Budapest. For the past few years, Auróra has been targeted several times by the far right.
Auróra is a social enterprise in Budapest that connects cultural programs and civil and activist organizations to foster cooperation among them, and strengthen civil sector and participatory democracy. Auróra functions as a hub for Roma Press Centre, School of Public Life, Budapest Pride, Marom, Dor Hadaz, Invisible School, Atlatszo, Streetlawyer, and Pneuma Szöv. who work on the rights of marginalised and stigmatised groups.
On 23 October 2019, during commemorations of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a mob of about 50 members of Hungarian far-right group Légió Hungária attacked and vandalised Auróra’s community center. The group tore down the rainbow flag over the entrance of Auróra, set it on fire, stamped their logos on the walls of the building and defaced the building with their slogans. Auróra community center was closed at the time of the attack, and no one was hurt.
Auróra center has been previously attacked by far-right politicians and pro-goverment media, placing an enormous strain on its activity. In March 2017, during a ‘Stop Soros’ far-right event in Budapest, the walls of Auróra center were sprayed with ‘anti-Soros’ and ‘anti-migrant’ messages.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about Légió Hungária’s attack on Auróra community center, as it is intended to intimidate and prevent Auróra and the NGOs functioning under its roof from carrying out their legitimate human rights work in Hungary.
