1956 Revolution in 2007

This is a second post for today. You should read down to the first of the day to fully appreciated this one. Yesterday, I received e-mails from students who live outside of Budapest when not in school. They wrote to tell me that they would not return to the city today for fear of dangers from protesters and rioters; therefore, they will not make it to class on Wednesday. We have been advised by more than one person not to go out so no one hears us speak English. Quite accidentally, I came across this Hungarian blogger's post for today and his feelings about today are quite interesting. http://ycrazymind.blogspot.com/2007/10/1956.html

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My Reaction to the News Around the World

There seems to be a variety of stories about what is happening here in various news sources around the world. I have read reports in different parts of the US as well as the UK and have received many e-mails from readers who are strangers, concerned about our welfare. One US paper has the streets 'littered' with burning cars. This is far from the truth. From what we know, mostly through students, is that the riot happened on Monday night when citizens heard of a leaked tape by the current government that his party lied extensively to win the election. He promised lower taxes, we now have tax hikes, making Hungary one of the highest taxed countries in Europe. The riot was at the Hungarian National Television building where they broke into the building, set things on fire and destroyed equipment. Presumably, there was another demonstration by skinheads at Blah Luiza ter, which is two blocks from us. We had our windows wide open until 11:00 pm when we went to bed, but did not hear a thing. We later heard the street was closed as a precautionary measure. Demonstrations are continuing at the Parliament, mostly peaceful, to try to get the Prime Minister to resign. As I have said to others who have written me, I have taught each day this week, students have shown up for class, and life around all that I need to do has been normal. The transports are all running, people are busy shopping, working and carrying on with their daily lives. If you come visit and had your heart set on a Parliament tour, you will be disappointed for now. Otherwise, things seem to be status quo.

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Budapest Riot Updates

Update on Budapest demonstrations (Thurs., 11:00 CET)

By: CaboodleNews:10:00

Following are the most recent important developments relating to this week's unrest in Budapest:

• Following a series of confrontations last night between rioters and the police, 55 people were taken into custody and 17 needed to be hospitalized. "Accelerated" legal proceedings have been started against detained protestors.

• As of this morning, only a few dozen protesters remain on Kossuth tér, in front of the Hungarian Parliament. Some of the protestors confirmed to the media that a few "agitators" have been responsible for the violence and tension. Last night some of those protesting peacefully decided to send a delegation to State President László Sólyom to propose a "National Round Table" (Nemzeti Kerekasztal) to deal with the country's political unrest.

• An English-speaking woman who brought several kitchen knives to Kossuth tér was led away by police this morning. She said she had come to Hungary to protest for the removal of Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány.

• Despite earlier plans, neither former US President George Bush nor Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice are likely to come to Hungary for the 50th anniversary of the 1956 revolution next month.

• Local sporting goods stores have sold their entire stocks of baseball bats, state news wire MTI reported yesterday. MTI had surveyed stores because footage of some protests in Budapest showed rioters hitting a police car with baseball bats.

• A larger than normal contingent of bodyguards is accompanying Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány, and his home is being secured by police officers. He was also offered a safer vehicle than the current, but he did not accept it.

• At least two agitators were apprehended last night in Pécs trying to cause trouble at an otherwise peaceful demonstration. Meanwhile, unknown perpetrators broke the glass door of the local headquarters of the governing Socialist Party (MSZP) and painted "Death to MSZP!" on another of the party's office buildings.

• Budapest's Eastern Railway Station (Keleti pályaudvar) was closed this morning at 7:45 due to a bomb scare. Service returned to normal a little after 9 a.m. as no explosives were found.

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