International Movement Against Bullfights
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS

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UPDATE -CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE RETURN OF BULLFIGHTS TO ALGERIA

The scheduled bullfights did not take place in 2012. We will continue to monitor the situation.



UPDATE - INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE RETURN OF BULLFIGHTS TO PANAMA

The Parliament of Panama banned on the 15th of March 2012 bullfights of both Spanish and Portugese style.



AN HISTORIC VICTORY -28th of July 2010 - CATALONIA BANS BULLFIGHTS



CHINA SAYS NO TO BULLFIGHTS - CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE RETURN OF BULLFIGHTS TO CHINA

China says NO to bullfights. According to several Spanish newspapers, China has decided not to allow the realisation of bullfights in their country. The authorities say they were floaded with protests from all over the world and also from Chinese citizens and groups.
We wish to thank everyone that made this possible by sending protest letters.

To read the articles in Spanish:

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=264786

http://www.andaluciainformacion.es/portada/?a=108301&i=13

http://www.elespectador.com/noticias/actualidad/articulo186382-china-dice-no-los-toros

http://www.larazon.es/noticia/8451-china-dice-no-a-los-festejos-taurinos




UPDATE - INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST RODEO TOUR EUROPE 2009

The rodeos took place in seven big Spanish cities although the attendance was low (in Marbella, a third of the bullring was filled with spectators), several events were cancelled because of 'technical problems' or 'bad weather' and the European Rodeo Tour went back to the USA.

This means that the rodeos scheduled for Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal and France won't take place. According to several articles in newspapers the Rodeo Europe Tour was a financial flop. They claimed that the rodeo industry planned too many events in a short period of time and that they underestimated the logistic aspects. The cowboys admitted that they were "very tired" and that they barely had time to get the animals and the materials in the bullrings on time.

They may try to return to Europe (especially to Spain) so we must be alert.

Rumford Rodeo Company and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association intended to perform American rodeos in several countries in Europe this year and if successuful would have continued next year in other European countries.

The first country was Spain where several cities were scheduled to host these rodeos:

Madrid 18/19th September
Guadalajara 23rd September
Castellón 25th September
Valencia 26/27th September
Benidorm 30th September - CANCELLED
Marbella 2nd October
Albacete 4th October - CANCELLED
Puerto de Sta. María 10th Ocobter
Badajoz 12th October - CANCELLED
Logroño 17th Ocotober

The other countries were Italy,Germany,Belgium and France.
Genoa, Italy (Oct. 31-Nov. 1), Milan, Italy (Nov. 7-8), Dusseldorf, Germany (Nov. 15-16), Antwerp, Belgium (Nov. 21-22) and Lili, France ALL CANCELLED.

Portugal was also included although no dates or destinations were revealed (presumably the cities would have been Lisbon and Porto).

For 2010 were these rodeos to have succeeded the plans would have been to expand to Sweden and the Netherlands.
Source of the information:

http://www.prorodeo.com/news.aspx?xu=1596
http://www.adn.es/local/madrid/20090831/NWS-1200-Ventas-Rodeo-septiembre-espanolas-americano.html
http://www.marbellaguide.com/blog/us-rodeo-tour-marbella/
http://www.theolathenews.com/119/story/510478.html

UPDATE - Intiative Anti-Corrida filmed the rodeo that took place in Valencia 2009. A video worth a thousand words:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9bo5M4KjMI



INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE FIRST RODEO IN PORTO - PORTUGAL

Despite hundreds of protests from around the world, and in spite of all the efforts of several animal associations to prevent this illegality the rodeo took place. None of the sponsors withdrew their sponsorship even knowing that it was and is illegal.
The fight continues against the spreading of this barbarity in Portugal.





MEP AFICIONADOS FINANCED BY EU TAXPAYERS

Spanish MEP organiser of the Bullfighting Exhibition at the European Parliament in Brussels 4-5 June 2008


Luis de Grandes

MEPs that support and will be present at this shameful exhibition

Spain-Inigo Mendez Vigo

France-Gilles Savary

Portugal-Graça Moura


Great Britain-Daniel Hannan

Belgium-Gérard Deprez

The Belgium MEP Gérard Deprez withdrew his participation in this exhibition. He does not want his name associated with bullfights.

This exhibition will cost 350.000 Euros of tax payers money channeled through the Autonomic Governments of Andaluzia, Aragon,Cantabria,Castilla La Mancha, Castilla and Leon, Extremadura, Navarra, Valencia and Madrid. In addition all of these MEPs are having their wages paid from our pockets.


CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT THE WRITTEN DECLARATION 0002/2007- EU-WIDE BAN ON BULLFIGHTING

Unfortunately only 211 MEPs signed. To succeed it had to be signed by 393 MEPs so the bull breeders will continue to receive EU subsidies.

SUBVENTIONS
The bull breeders receive a huge amount of subsidies that are obtained through various schemes, not directly as a subsidy to bullfights but as subsidies to bovines. This system of subsidies is complicated because it consists of several different ones of varying value. There are subsidies called special premium beef, slaughter subsidy (paid whether the bull is killed in the bullring or slaughterhouse) and also a subsidy for land area used. These subsidies are supplements to the new agricultural policy that pays a unique land subsidy. We are not going to explain in detail the Common Agricultural Policy because it has been changing along the years. Since 2005 the rule is a unique payment and then several supplements that are additional to the the unique payment. Therefore the bull breeders manage to pocket millions of euros that allow these business to continue.


CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE REINTRODUCTION OF BULLFIGHTS AT MARGARITA ISLAND/VENEZUELA

Unfortunately the bullfight scheduled for the 29th December 2006 did take place. Since there are more scheduled for 2007, please continue to send protests.


QATAR AIRWAYS PROMOTING BULLFIGHTS

We did not get any reply from Qatar Airways and we have no way of knowing if this promotion was withdrawn or not. Please inform us if you have any information on this.


CHINA, ANOTHER COUNTRY WITH BULLFIGHTS

photo by AP


photo by AP



In spite of the thousands of letters sent to the Chinese authorities the bullfights in Shanghai took place on the 23rd and 24th October 2004.

There is a yet more sinister side to this in that the bulls used were not in fact killed as was said beforehand. The reason is very simple. Other cities in China are interested in performing bullfights.Wuhan, Canton and Chengdu.

We are not aware if they are intending to breed bulls or if they are thinking in dragging the 6 bulls from one bullfight to another.

CHINESE NEWSPAPER CONDEMNS THE BULLFIGHTS IN SHANGHAI.

Bullfight in Shanghai a mistake
Fei Li Updated: 2004-10-25 08:55

For some, the past weekend was another milestone on Shanghai's route to becoming a truly international metropolitan city.

A much-publicized series of bull fights was held over the weekend in the city, China's economic hub.

The stadium-turned-bullring cost 5 million yuan (US$605,000) to transform, and both matador and bulls were brought from Spain and Mexico to Shanghai for a bullfight with a truly Spanish flavour, the organizers claimed.

Clearly it was a commercial event, but what some people relish most is the status the bullfight has brought to Shanghai - the first bullfight to have been held in Asia.

To them, it underlines Shanghai's bid to become a world-class metropolitan city.

The ecstasy over the first Formula One Grand Prix, which was held last month and cost the city billions, is still apparent.

The city's preparations are already under way for the upcoming 2010 World Expo.

While it is understandable that Shanghai's ambition to go international, an ambition shared by many other Chinese cities, means some large cultural and sporting events are necessary to promote the city, it should be remembered that all actions be done in a manner that keeps an eye on conditions on the ground.

Cities blindly promoting their image just for the sake of attracting the limelight go against their original intentions.

Literally a dance with death, bullfighting has been characterized by its cruelty and violence, and is now something the civilized world shuns.

Even in its birthplace, Spain, bullfighting, originally a sport reserved for the aristocracy, has never been free of controversy.

Felipe V, king of Spain from 1700 to 1746, banned nobles from taking part in the sport during his reign, fearing its adverse influence on public education.

From then on, commoners took it up.

Barcelona, Spain's second largest city, has taken the lead by banning bullfighting from April 6 this year.

Yet while it is being questioned or banned in its home country, the centuries-old sport may not have expected to find a welcome thousands of miles away.

Bringing in a cruel entertainment that has been widely condemned by civilized society to promote the city's image is more likely to end up bringing shame.

Even if it is used to spur on the local culture or sports market, as some have said, such arguments do not hold much water either.

With tickets costing between 180 yuan (US$22) and 2,800 yuan (US$301), the "virtual feast" is a little bit out of reach for ordinary people, meaning only the relatively affluent can afford to watch the bloody performance anyway.

While animal protection and anti-violence is becoming more fashionable in society, Shanghai's "bravery" in staging this kind of bloodsport betrays itself as one of China's most modern cities.

Rather than a milestone in its bid to become a much-coveted international metropolis status - indeed, the bullfighting episode is more like a slap in the face.

(China Daily)


SPANISH BULLFIGHTER PROMOTES BULLFIGHTING ON MALASYSIAN TELEVISON

Concerning this campaign we received the following letter from the Minister of Information:

I thank you for your e-mail to the Honourable Minister of Information, Malaysia regarding a TV advertisement recorded by a Spanish bullfighter.

I would like to inform you that the Malaysia Government is investigating this report seriously because we do not practice such inhuman activity in Malaysia. The government shall also take appropriate action against anyone or companies found to have been involved in recording this kind of advertisement in Malaysia, if it was so done in this country.

Malaysians, for your information do not torture animals for whatever reasons be it for sports or entertainment unlike other countries in Europe, which I am sure you are fully aware of.

Thank you.

TARMIDZI HASHIM
Director
Public Relations Division
Ministry of Information,
Malaysia

PROTEST AGAINST THE KILLING OF A BULL WITH SPEARS IN TORDESILLAS (VALLADOLID - SPAIN)

Every year in September in Tordesillas, a bull is tortured and murdered in a spectacle called "Toro de la Veja". Hundreds of men run with medieval spears after a bull, sticking them into his body until his death.

This year in the 16th of September "Gañaflero" was speared to death. Please send the postcard and the text below to:

ayto.tordesillas@dip-valladolid.es,
presidencia@dip-valladolid.es,
prensa@dip-valladolid.es,
presidente.responde@jcyl.es,
turismo@tordesillas.net




How is it possible that in 2003 non human animals are still tortured and killed?

How is it possible that Spain that pretends to be a civilized country allows the existence of such a barbaric and savage spectacle like this?

We don't understand that in the 21st century, hundreds of men with medieval spears chase a bull stabbing him to death.


CAMPAIGN AGAINST BULLFIGHT IN EXPO 98 / LISBON

In spite of all the thousands of letters sent to the Complex of Expo 98 and the City Hall, the bullfight took place. This was attended by the Mayor of Lisbon, a very well known aficionado and supporter of bullfights. Also the President of the Republic sent a letter paying homage to one of the bullfighters as well as compliments for the way how he have been representing the "art" of bullfighting. Simply disgusting.


CAMPAIGN AGAINST BULLFIGHTS IN GUATEMALA

In spite of all the thousands of letters sent to the authorities of Guatemala, the bullfights took place.

We are not exaggerating the numbers here, but one journalist from a Guatemalan newspaper wrote a very angry report saying that he had received in one day 1,000 emails. This was on the second day after the campaign was launched.

Unfortunately we now have another country with bullfights. According to our research this country has had no bullfights for 20 years but now it's one more to be added to the black list. We want to thank all of you that supported us in trying to prevent these bullfights. After all this is a war, we only lost one battle so let's continue the fight. We must prevent the spread of barbarity, torture and death of animals and at the same time we must continue the fight to end this in the countries that have bullfights.





RELIGIOUS FOUNDATION PROMOTES BULLFIGHTS

As we feared, the bullfight to raise funds for the Fondation Father Arrupe of El Salvador was perfomed in Zaragoza, Spain. The aim of our campaign was not only to denounce these type of bullfights but also to prevent the presence of the President of El Salvador as guest of honour.

Unfortunately we did not achieve our goals since Francisco Flores was present giving his approval as supreme authority of his country to torture and cruelty.

When the foremost figure of a country that has no bullfights is prepared to be guest of honour at such an event in another country, it opens a terrifying precedent to El Salvador. Sooner or later it could be the next country to hold bullfights.

Regarding the Fondation Father Arrupe, after some investigations we discovered that the President of the Fondation is the mother-in-law of the Spanish bull killer Espartaco (the organizer of the bullfight). Moreover, the the Fondation is publicized in the official web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador.

Once again more proof that the politicians and the bullfighting lobbies walk hand in hand.

Several people who have fought against bullfights have claimed that the bullfight world is another Mafia. These facts must lend credence to such beliefs.


VICTORY - BULLS OF FIRE BANNED AT SANTARÉM/PORTUGAL

Thanks to all your protest emails we managed to ban bulls of fire in the "National Fair of Bulls" in Santarém. According to a report in today's newspaper "Publico", the General Inspection of Cultural Activities banned the "show" based on proof of the animals' mistreatement.

Therefore once more we have the proof that protesting works! We want to thank all who participated in this campaign and also Animal Association that gave a special cooperation in this action.

Never forget that our letters can always make a difference for animals.

.



VICTORY - THE PORTUGUESE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL DECLARED THAT BULLFIGHTS WITH PICADORS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL

On 21/11/02 the Portuguese Constitutional Tribunal declared that the law approved by the Parliament of Azores allowing bullfights with picadors is unconstitutional.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST INDOCTRINATION OF CHILDREN IN BULLFIGHTS

The City Hall of Santarém performed the "running of calves" as scheduled in spite of hundreds of protest letters received.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST "STRONGBOW" CIDER FOR PROMOTING PAMPLONA (SPAIN)

So far as we are aware, this advert is no longer being shown on British TV, although Bulmers did not show the courtesy of replying to any of our protest emails.

THE BULLFIGHT IN CARCASSONNE WAS PERFORMED ON SEPT 1ST, 2002

This town joins now the black list of bloody towns.