100 Nearly Naked People Protested Bullfighting In Pamplona

For Immediate release:
4 July 2010-07-08

Contact:
Alice Barnett 020 7357 9229, ext 229, [email protected]
              
Pamplona – Wearing dark-brown and black bodypaint, approximately 100 protesters lay on the ground and formed the shape of a bull on Pamplona’s main square two days before the Running of the Bulls. Some of the protesters wore bright red paint to represent the bloody injuries suffered by the “bull.” This arresting visual provided a striking photo op.

“Tormenting and butchering animals for entertainment is straight out of the Dark Ages”, says PETA’s special projects manager, Mimi Bekhechi. “People all around the world agree that mutilating animals for amusement is unacceptable.”

Scottish activist Kat Affleck was among the scores of people from around the world participating in the demonstration which is being coordinated by Spanish animal rights group AnimaNaturalis with support from PETA.

Prior to the Running of the Bulls, electric prods and sharp sticks are used to goad the bulls into a frenzy. After the event, the animals are tortured and slaughtered in the bullring. Every year, more than 40,000 bulls are slaughtered in Spanish bullfights. In a typical fight, lances are driven into the bull’s back and neck muscles, resulting in significant blood loss. Then banderillas (brightly coloured sticks with harpoon points) are stabbed into the bull’s back. The dying animal is finally stabbed to death – or nearly. Some bulls are still conscious when they are chained by the horns and dragged out of the arena.

Polls show that Spanish opposition to bullfighting is mounting and that the majority of Europeans oppose bullfighting. In 2004, the Barcelona City Council declared Barcelona an anti-bullfighting city, and 40 other Spanish towns – including Torello, Calldetenes and Olot – have followed suit.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.