Ráday Salon

Citizens Against the Far Right in Budapest

This year, a number of neo-Nazi organizations had planned a demonstration in Budapest for August 15, to mark the death of Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess. In response, a large coalition of groups planned a "Day of Peaceful Protest against the Far Right". With a week to go, the Budapest police officially banned the neo-Nazi demonstrations, but the Peaceful Protest events still went on.

The Peaceful Protest events were organized by a group called the "Civelek a Szélsőjobb Ellen" Mozgalom (or the Citizens Against the Far Right Movement). The movement is an umbrella group of over 50 civil society organization including anti-Fascists, Jewish organizations, Roma organizations, gay rights groups, green organizations and humanists. The day included music, information tents, and short speeches -- including the one above by Michael.

You can read more (in Hungarian and English) about the day's events on the website linked above or here in PDF (English text near the end).  Also, our friend JD, as usual, is on the case:  You can find audio (Hungarian) and photos of more of the day's speeches on his blog at http://lmv.hu/redjade.

UPDATE - 3 Sept 09:

After we updated the video above to our blog, Michael's daughter Aishah posted it on her own facebook page. Later, Aishah wrote to Michael to share a comment she had received on the video from a friend on facebook:

Very cool to make the connections between history & contemporary issues, but odd to speak out against Neo-Nazis in Eastern Europe without once mentioning Jews or antisemitism ("Roma, lesbian, gay man, African Muslim..." "racism, sexism, xenophobia Romaphobia"), especially since the far right he speaks against continue to include Jews as targets alongside the ethnic, racial and religious groups listed.

Aishah's friend was not the first to raise this point. Michael sent the following response to Aishah, who posted it it for her friend.

(Aishah), she is absolutely right. Most of the speech was done while I was speaking and I only had a couple of notes. In fact, I significantly changed my speech right before I spoke because I did not want to just repeat what others had been saying. However, as soon as I left the stage I realized my error--and it was an error.

This is not an excuse but I may have been the only speaker, out of at least 10, who did not mention antisemitism but also the only speaker who mentioned Muslims, LGBT, and Black and Asian folks. This does not excuse my personal omission but please assure your friend that antisemitism was well addressed at the rally.

-- Dad

For those who may be interested, here is some further reading on the attempted neo-Nazi demonstrations:

• A rendőrség megtiltotta a neonáci emlékmenetet. Index.hu 12 Aug 2009 (Hungarian)
• Hungary police ban neo-Nazi marches. UPI.com 12 Aug 2009 (English)
• Neo-Nazis banned from marching in Budapest. Expatica.com 13 Aug 2009 (English)

Amnesty International Hungary calls for an end to the death penalty and justice for Troy Davis

On Tuesday, May 19, Amnesty International Hungary activists joined in a Global Day of Action in support of Troy Davis, an African-American man who was sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of a police officer in the United States, despite strong evidence suggesting he is innocent. Carrying signs and wearing pictures of Troy Davis on their white t-shirts, the AI-HU activists led a “Solidarity Walk” through downtown Budapest, from Vorosmarty Square to the US Embassy. They handed out flyers (Eng - Hun) information sheets (Eng - Hun) to passers-by, and paused near the Godor Klub at Deak ter, and in Szent Istvan ter in front of Szent Istvan Basilica, to reach out to as many people as possible. In Szabadsag ter, as the activists assembled in view of the US Embassy, representatives from several news outlets, including Duna TV, Magyar Nemzet, and Hungarian news agency MTI, were on hand to report the story. Duna TV report on Budapest Troy Davis Solidarity Walk

The Global Day of Action mobilized worldwide opposition to the death penalty in support of Davis, whose case is a particularly egregious example of the inherent injustice of the death penalty. There are several serious and fundamental flaws in his case. No murder weapon or direct evidence was ever found connecting Davis to the murder. Many of the “witnesses” at the original trial have since recanted, saying that police pressured them to implicate Davis. Several witnesses have also implicated another man. Nevertheless, throughout Troy Davis’ long battle to fight his conviction, the courts have focused mainly on procedural issues, while important evidence that he is actually innocent of the crime has not been examined.

With their action, the AI-HU activists added their voices to those of thousands of others, from Argentina to Uganda, as well as all 50 US states, united in their opposition to the death penalty, and calling on the US to deliver justice for Troy Davis.

View more photos of the event (click any photo for a slide show).

To learn more about Troy Davis’ case, visit some of the links below:

• Amnesty International US Global Day of Action press release
• “Where Is The Justice For Me”: Amnesty International report
• Amnesty International death penalty issue page

Also check out the Amnesty International Hungary activism blog (Hungarian – English)

Special thanks to JD for the excellent photos!

RE: VERZIO Documentary Film Series

Each fall, Budapest is the site of Verzio, an excellent human rights film festival that brings to the screen dozens of human rights documentaries from dozens of countries around the world. The 2008 Verzio Festival included more than 50 films from over 27 countries -- and still, this leaves out many worthy films that do not make the final selection.

Fortunately for us, the Verzio organizers have introduced a spring film series to help fill the gap. The 2009 RE: VERZIO Documentary Film Series showcases seven films --  four audience favorites at the 2008 festival, and three new films that were not shown at the fall festival.

The first film in the RE: VERZIO Series is Anna, 7 Years on the Frontline, winner of the Audience Award at the 2008 Verzio Festival. The film (which we were able to see back in November) is a compelling portrait of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who became well known for her passionate commitment to reporting on the conflict in Chechnya, and whose October 2006 murder remains unsolved. The documentary includes interviews with Politkovskaya's colleagues and friends, as well as many conversations with the journalist herself, as she describes her work, its dangers and challenges, and what drives her to keep pressing on. 

Anna, 7 Years on the Frontline will be shown Wednesday, April 1, at 6pm, at the OSA Archivum, Arany János u. 32., (in the 5th district near Arany János metro stop). 

All films in the RE:VERZIO Series are shown in the original language with English subtitles.  

The series continues with a film every week for the next seven weeks.  To see the full schedule, keep reading below.

Human Rights Workshop and Screening of NO!

On Friday, March 27, Michael will be presenting a series of events as part of the Saluting Women's History Month program at the new American Corner at Corvinus University. The program includes a workshop on human rights, as well as a screening of Aishah Shahidah Simmons' groundbreaking documentary NO!. Our long-time guests will be well familiar with NO!, but if you are new to us and would like to know more about the film, you can find a wealth of information both on our website, and on the film website at http://notherapedocumentary.org/. The Saluting Women's History Month events at the American Corner are free and open to the public, but as space is limited, registration is required. For more information, including instructions on how to register, visit the American Corner events page.

"Living" Nonviolence Sign 2009

Beginning in 2004, activists of the Humanist Movement in Hungary have been marking the anniversary of the Iraq War with a "living peace sign" in Budapest's Heroes' Square, made up of hundreds of people holding up candles as the light fades and evening begins. (Click to see photos and video of the 2007 peace sign.) Every year, the event has grown, with peace signs appearing in dozens of cities around the world. This year the symbol, which will celebrate nonviolence, will be held on Sunday, March 22. The event begins at 6pm and participation requires a small participation fee (800Ft) to help cover the costs. Hungarian speakers can find more information at http://www.vilagbekemenet.hu/.

A Shoebox Full Of Love

For our upcoming salon on December 18th (see above) we are adding another special event to bring out our holiday spirit. Our friends at the Human Rights Initiative (HRSI) at the Central European University are collecting gifts for needy children through the "Shoebox Full of Love" project, which collects shoeboxes filled with small gifts for children that will be distributed at Christmastime. We invite you to join us in this effort by bringing some gifts to the Salon. We will put the gifts together into several shoeboxes that will be donated in the name of the Raday Salon.

**We ask you to bring gifts that would be appropriate for a boy or girl aged 5-9.**

What to bring? HRSI provides the following list of suggestions:

1) TOYS: small cars, balls, dolls, teddy bears, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), etc.
2) SCHOOL SUPPLIES: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
3) HYGIENE ITEMS: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
4) OTHER ITEMS: hard candy and lollipops, mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), scarf, gloves, small storybook, word-game book, children's magazine, beads, earrings, etc.

Please do not bring: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

We encourage you to bring as many items as you like -- we will find a place for it all. We look forward to being able to send along as many shoeboxes as possible.

**We ask you to bring gifts that would be appropriate for a boy or girl aged 5-9.**

Human Rights Day 2008

On this Human Rights Day, we wish to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by simply thanking all of our Salon friends for your continued interest and support for our efforts to bring human rights awareness into everyday life.

NO! The Rape Documentary screening at Central European University this Tuesday

This Tuesday, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, the Human Rights Initiative at Central European University will be screening the award-winning documentary, NO! The Rape Documentary by Michael's daughter, Aishah Shahidah Simmons.

Eleven years in the making, NO! explores the international reality of rape and other forms of sexual assault through the first person testimonies, scholarship, spirituality, activism and cultural work of African Americans. Since its official release in 2006, NO! has been screened and distributed to racially and ethnically diverse audiences at film festivals, community centers, colleges/universities, high schools, correctional facilities, rape crisis centers, battered women shelters and conferences throughout the United States, France, Spain, Rwanda, Kenya, Nepal, South Africa, Jordan, Burkina Faso, Peru and Mexico.

The screening will be followed by a discussion/question-and-answer period hosted by our own Michael Simmons, who served as Creative Adviser on the film.

**Please remember, the location for this event is NOT our Salon, but rather Central European University.**

Join us Tuesday, December 9, for the screening of NO! at Central European Unversity:
Time: 6:15pm
Location: Bp. V., Nador utca 9

For much more on the film, you can read posts on our blog related to previous screenings at the Raday Salon or visit the film website at http://notherapedocumentary.org/ .

Facebook users:  join the NO! screening on Facebook here!

As for our next official Salon event, it will be held Thursday, December 18th,so save the date!  More details coming soon....

16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women

Tuesday, November 25, 2008 begins the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women, an international campaign which unites efforts around the world to combat violence against women.  In Budapest, a series of events have been planned by a coalition of civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, the Human Rights Initiative (HRSI), and NANE Women's Rights Association. The campaign was launched with a press conference and march this past Sunday.

The 16 Days campaign was first established in1991 through the first Women's Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women's Global Leadership. The choice of the 16 days is meant to highlight gender violence as a violation of human rights, and encompasses several significant dates, including:

• the International Day Against Violence Against Women (November 25)
• World AIDS Day (December 1),
• the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre (December 6, 1989; when 4 men and 24 women at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, were shot, 14 of them fatally, by a man raging against "feminism"); and
• Human Rights Day (December 10). 

For more on the history of the 16 Days campaign, visit the Center for Women's Global Leadership 16 Days campaign page.

Hungarian speakers can find much more Information about the Budapest events of the 16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women on the website http://16akcionap.org/.

For English speakers, a comprehensive schedule of events in English can be viewed or downloaded right here:

16 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women events schedule - English (MS Word .doc format)

Amnesty International - Hungary Statement on International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

This week, in commemoration of the International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, Amnesty International - Hungary released the following statement, written by Linda Carranza and translated into Hungarian by AI member Dalma Fero:

Statement on International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism

Sunday, November 9, 2008 marked the 70th anniversary of the “Kristallnacht” pogrom in Nazi Germany, when Nazi Stormtroopers and bands of civilian rioters rampaged against the Jewish population, destroying thousands of Jewish businesses and burning hundreds of synagogues. The violent attacks left 91 Jews dead and saw another 30,000 sent to concentration camps on a single night in 1938.

Sadly, in 2008, with the rise of far-right extremism across Europe we cannot say that anti-Semitism and racist violence exist only in our history. Racism, intolerance, and hate attacks are present-day phenomena here in Hungary as well, from the violence and rioting that have become regular features of the once-peaceful Gay Pride events, to the growth of the Magyar Garda, to racist assaults against foreigners and minorities in Budapest.

As we remember the “Kristallnacht” pogrom on this International Day Against Fascism and Anti-Semitism, we strongly condemn these and all expressions of racism, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and discrimination, and we stand firm with all those victimized by hatred and violence.

Állásfoglalás a fasizmus és antiszemitizmus elleni küzdelem világnapja alkalmából

2008. november 9-én, vasárnap volt a kristályéjszaka néven ismert németországi náci pogrom hetvenedik évfordulója. 1938-ban, a kristályéjszakán náci rohamcsapatok és bandákba tömörült civilek megtámadták a zsidó lakosságot és ennek során több ezer zsidó üzletet romboltak szét és több száz zsinagógát gyújtottak fel. Az erőszakos cselekmények során 91 zsidó vesztette életét és további 30.000 zsidót koncentrációs táborokba hurcoltak egyetlen éjszaka alatt.

Ma, 2008-ban, amikor a szélsőjobboldali mozgalmak Európa-szerte erősödnek, sajnos nem mondhatjuk, hogy az antiszemitizmus és a rasszizmus már csupán történelmünk lezárt fejezetei. Az intolerancia, a rasszista és gyűlölettől vezérelt támadások Magyarországon is mindennapos jelenségekké váltak, az egykor békés meleg büszkeség napi felvonuláson mára rendszeressé vált erőszaktól kezdve a Magyar Gárda erősödéséig és a külföldiek és kisebbségek ellen irányuló rasszista támadásokig.

Emlékezve a kristályéjszakán történt eseményekre, a fasizmus és antiszemitizmus elleni küzdelem világnapja szellemében teljes mértékben elutasítjuk a rasszizmus, az antiszemitizmus, a homofóbia és a diszkrimináció minden megnyilvánulását és kiállunk a gyűlöletcselekmények áldozatai mellett.