Some weeks ago I attended a peaceful protest in Inca, Mallorca on a blazing hot evening. It was organised by Mallorca Against Bullfighting, a group of dedicated animal activists who wants to end bullfighting for once and for all. It was good to meet the (mostly) women of this organisation.
As you probably know bullfighting is still existing practice in some Spanish regions. The last five summers, since bullfights have returned to Mallorca (bullfighting wasn’t completely banned, only the usual form changed for some time: it was prohibited to kill the bull) I see announcements of bullfights and I follow the news of the organisation CAS International. CAS International (Comité Anti Stierenvechten) wants to end bullfighting and other ‘cultural’ events that cause animal suffering. This also includes fiestas (‘patronal festivals’), like the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, and many other festivities during which bulls and other animals are maltreated and killed.
In summertime life should be without too much worry, also because high temperatures don’t easily let you. Somehow ‘be here now’ is more simple in (Spanish) summer than in winter. Obviously the bleeding of the world never has a break. Regardless the ‘be here now’ sensation of Spanish summer, this season can make me sad because of the immense suffering of animals in this country. So is the cruel Spanish tradition of bullfighting which always take place in summer.
A recent survey on behalf of CAS International among 7500 citizens of Spain, Portugal and France, the three European countries where bullfights are still allowed, demonstrates some interesting insights. A majority of 77% of all respondents believe that bullfighting causes too much suffering to bulls, 14% is neutral and 6% disagrees with the statement. A majority of 58% of all respondents agree that bullfighting should be forbidden, 22% is neutral about it and 17% disagrees. French and Portuguese respondents (both 60%) agree more often than Spanish respondents (54%).
In short: a majority of all citizens wants bullfighting to be banned, from left-wing to right-wing voters, mostly women.
So why is this cruel tradition to entertain the ignorant people like they are living in the Middle Ages still happening? And what do we need to end it?
In this article which I wrote last year I tried to find explanations. It’s still relevant to this day. Therefore I share it again in the hope more and more people will have compassion with the suffering of these animals and demanding their governments to act on it.
Here you can read the article:
Watch this beautiful protest in Palma a few days ago, also by Mallorca Against Bullfighting and some other animal rights organisations.
Con Amor,
Eva
☆evalunes 