Thousands in Madrid demand end to bullfighting in Spain

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Thousands in Madrid demand end to bullfighting in Spain
Updated 2:18 pm, Saturday, May 13, 2017


MADRID (AP) — Thousands of animal rights activists protested Saturday in Madrid to demand an end to Spain's long tradition of bullfighting.

The march went through the Spanish capital's city center, with several groups united under one clear-cut message: "Bullfighting is violence and you can stop it."

Animal rights activists say the gory fights are among the planet's most blatant forms of animal cruelty, with bulls lanced and finally stabbed through the heart. Matadors are praised for killing with a single stab, though some don't succeed in finishing off the animal with repeated thrusts.
 
The march, scheduled during the famed San Isidro weeklong fair featuring numerous bullfights in Madrid's famous Las Ventas bullring, is part of a growing divide between those who see bullfighting as a blatant form of animal cruelty and others who defend it as part of Spain's traditional culture.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/living/article/Thousands-in-Madrid-demand-end-to-bullfighting-in-11143948.php

[joeybee12]

1. Good. Bullfighting is sickening. Knr

[spiderpig]

2. It's about time.

One reason I've avoided Spain.

BTW, one of my friends with relatives in Portugal says they don't kill the bulls there. True?

[tenorly]

6. True - although it's no fun for the bull.

It's a little like our Rodeo in that men on horseback maneuver around the bulls. They aim javelin-like banderillas at the poor animals though, and there's usually a lot of blood.

The bulls, at least, get out with their lives.

[spiderpig]

10. Ugh. I can't stand animal abuse in any form.

Let alone entertainment.

Thanks for the info tenorly.

[tenorly]

12. Sure.

Would that the part of our brains that makes us sadistic could be magically disactivated.

There'd be a lot fewer right-wingers, that's for sure.

[spiderpig]

14. A lot of people made fun of Doris Day

But I remember her saying "I believe animals are here to teach us".

She's right. Still beautiful at 95.

[tenorly]

17. She certainly is.

I can't claim to have met her; but I once stayed at her very pet-friendly hotel, the Cypress Inn, in Carmel - where "people are also welcome." Very quaint, well-run, and quite reasonable, considering it's in downtown Carmel.

Unfortunately, her son, Terry Melcher, had just passed away at the time, and she was, understandably, away.

The world is blessed to have had her - and you as well, if I may be so bold.

[spiderpig]

18. Aw, tenorly...

It's people like you who are the candle in the wind.

We have to rejoice for what we have in the world, choose our battles, and be there to support one another.

Peace.

[tenorly]

21. Likewise!

Here's to better days:

[LeftyMom]

15. There's a huge Portugese community in CA. They keep the tradition but use velcro javelins.

It's basically Nerf bullfighting.

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/california-has-the-most-peaceful-bull-fights-on-earth-511

edit: more local story with many photos http://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/California-s-bloodless-bullfights-keep-2511124.php#photo-2686148

[tenorly]

19. Good for them.

Would that be around Modesto? One of my good friends is half-Portuguese on his mother's side, and is originally from there. I've always admired that tidiness and quiet determination of theirs - a virtue I myself lack, sloppy complainik that I am.

Of course, Devin Nunes is also of Portuguese descent. But oh, well; every culture has its bad elements.

Thank you for those links. Great photos!

[tenorly]

3. I understand Colombia recently brought it back.

It seems that now that they're killing fewer people there these days, they're turning their violent impulses back to the hapless bulls.

Oh, well.

[retrowire]

4. GOOD!

Bullfighting is as barbaric as gladiator games. It needs to stop.

[stonecutter357]

5. K&R!

[Jack-o-Lantern]

7. Its a hideous, and stomach-turning event. I always hope the asshole matador gets horribly gored.

[7962]

8. And I hate that i feel that way.

[Erick the Read]

9. Screw Tradition!

It's torture, murder and appeals to our worst instincts. Time to send this "tradition" to the ash heap of history.

[ailsagirl]

11. It is about time

Horrifying and violent

[dhill926]

13. good...

[blitzen]

16. it's been illegal in Barcelona/Catalonia for awhile now n/t

[DFW]

23. Catalunya was always a little ahead of the rest of Spain

I used to live and go to school there once upon a time. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities, and I still go down there once a month or so.

[oberliner]

20. What about eating hamburgers and chicken?

Factory farms are unmatched in their cruelty.

[tblue37]

22. Good! It is a vicious, barbaric practice. nt

[DFW]

24. When I used to live in Spain, the state-run TV used to show bulls being killed in the sports reports

I always used to look away, as I hated the sight of it. The family I was living with took it in stride, as they had seen it their whole lives, but they never went to one themselves, and neither did I.

[Doremus]

25. It would only take one generation to end this horrific 'tradition'

Same with the faux bullfights which are still terrorizing innocent creatures.

Let those who still want to see bloody slaughter go into the ring themselves.