Diary of a PETA Photographer – Pamplona 2011
After attending PETA’s and AnimaNaturalis‘ joint anti-bullfighting demonstration at this time last year in Pamplona, Spain, I came back vowing to do everything I could to get this deplorable blood sport banned.
To that end, I’ve been working to rally the support of thousands of compassionate people all around the world, asking them to speak out against bullfighting via our online action alert. So you can imagine my joy when – just a few weeks after the demonstration last year and following years of campaigning, demonstrations and online advocacies by animal rights groups across Spain, Europe and other countries worldwide – Catalonia voted to ban bullfighting in the entire region. This momentous victory demonstrates what we can achieve when we stand up for what’s right, and it puts us one step closer to the day when the last matador is made to hang up his suit of lights once and for all.
This is my fifth year attending a demonstration in Pamplona. Each time I arrive, I’m greeted by old friends and sometimes hundreds or even more than a thousand like-minded activists all set on one clear goal: to put an end to the slaughter of bulls for entertainment. This year’s stunning demonstration featured more than 100 activists from around the globe who lay down in the shape of a giant bull in front of the mayor’s office.
While the annual Running of the Bulls is a horrific event that always results in the torment, torture and death of bulls, it can also be fatal for spectators. Prior to the event, the bulls are kept in crowded, dark enclosures. When they are finally prodded into the streets with electric shocks, they are momentarily blinded by the sunlight. During the event, participants hit the terrified bulls with rolled up newspapers. Because the turns in the route are quite sharp, many animals lose their footing, break bones and injure themselves. All the bulls who slip and slide on the streets of Pamplona are running towards a bloody and horrific death in the bullring.
Opposition to bullfighting is mounting. According to a 2009 survey, 76 per cent of Spaniards showed no interest in attending or supporting bullfights.
And now it is once again time for me to leave. I leave heavy hearted for the continued suffering of bulls, enlightened by my peers, amazed at the ability of the groups involved to come together to tell the world about the cruelty of bull runs and bullfighting and empowered once again to work even harder to fight this cruelty.
Join me and make a world of difference by taking action today.
Hi Matt,
Great pictures.
‘According to a 2009 survey, 76 per cent of Spaniards showed no interest in attending or supporting bullfights.’ Are you sure? I only know of the Gallup poll from 2008 that found that 67 percent have no interest.
Best,
Florian
Hello Florian, the Independent references it
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-votes-to-ban-bullfighting-1855945.html
Hope that helps!
Matt
Ah, thanks Matt, I must have missed that one. Very encouraging result!
Florian
[...] of urine to the already saturated cobblestones. These have all come together in the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, kicked off this week by both protests and [...]
[...] of urine to the already saturated cobblestones. These have all come together in the annual Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, kicked off this week by both protests and [...]
Lindo!!Deus abençoe quem luta pelos animais e luta contra estas barbaridades no mundo.
The Government of Spain can salvage their reputation if if finally ends barbaric bullfighting. It’s leierally evil !
Is it really the Spaniards or thrill seeking, ignorant foreigners, who keep this barbaric bloodsport alive?
Unfortunately, not only Spain indulges in this barbaric spectacle, but also France, Mexico, Venezuela, Bolivia, etc. We should denounce them as well, not just Spain. In fact, Mexico displays the biggest arena in the world.
Il est grand temps de mettre un terme à ces pratiques sanguinaires!
It is disgusting that some people make animals suffer just for entertainement. That shame must stop!
This is not entertainment and people who condone this should be subject to the cruelty to animals act or does this not appear in spains rules. I’m sure the Bulls would be happier in fields with the cows
This is barbaric – it’s a shame the bulls don’t win. Why do people find this entertaining – I find this sick and disgusting. This is abuse to animals. Why can’t people have respect for them. These people are complete morons – think of another entertainment.
Man continues to be the animals. We are disgusting in what we do to other speciesf and then turn around and say that the creatures we call animals are the ones that are evil. What a joke.
Thank you for doing what you have done! But as long as man is on this earth, others will suffer forever, that is what we are made of!
GRACIAS , PETA
This protest is absolutely brilliant and I truly hope it makes more people realise how inhumane, disgusting and cruel this form of ‘entertainment’, to some, is. Bullfighting must stop now.
No bulls die in pamplona
Every bull forced to run terrified through the streets of Pamplona will be tortured and killed in the bullring that night.
please save animals.
They should ban this sport, its so cruel and barbaric, what sort of kick do these stupid people get out of it anyway they must know that they are dicing with their own lives all because of their own stupidity !
Beautiful and very humane gesture.
The Unspeakable in pursuit of the Should-Not-Be-Eatable!
I’m so impressed by the activists from around the globe that took part in the demonstration!
It is fantastic that the Catalina region has banned the fights but I’m distressed to know that the bull runs go on.
We must act against this and any other bull fights in Spain. It is a dreadful, sick so called form of entertainment.
Hi Everyone,
I am trying to ban cruelty in slaughterhouses. Please will you sign my petition?
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/3709
Thanks,
Paul.
Hi everyone,
I have just flown back from holiday in Carcassonne, Southern France where I was distressed to find out I had arrived during the bullfighting feria. I went along to a demonstration but was saddened to see how few people were making a stand against it and how many young people were going in to see the fight.
This campaign has definitely been made more difficult since bullfighting has been given official cultural status (by non other than an ex- bullfighter . . .). If anyone would be interested in joining the demonstration next year please get in touch with CRAC (anti bullfighting; france)
http://www.anticorrida.com/
[...] pasado mes de julio 2011, las asociaciones AnimaNaturalis y PETA organizaron un acto contra la tauromaquia en Pamplona en el que un centenar de voluntarios formaron [...]
[...] pasado mes de julio 2011, las asociaciones AnimaNaturalis y PETA organizaron un acto contra la tauromaquia en Pamplona en el que un centenar de voluntarios formaron [...]