Spain: Bullfighting Banned in Catalonia

Catalonia bans bullfighting.

In a landmark vote in the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, lawmakers voted 68-for to 55-against the ban.

The prohibition marks the first time the centuries old blood sport is outlawed in a mainland region of Spain.

Outside parliament, pro and anti bullfighting demonstrators gathered to voice support for their respective camps.

When news of the ruling filtered through, animal rights activists were delighted.

[Animal Rights Activist]:
„We are very happy that reason and compassion won over barbarism. We have been working for many years towards this. This is a triumph for the people of Catalonia.“

But not everyone was celebrating the vote.

Bullfight supporters shouted „traitors“ and said the ban was nothing more than provocation from a region where many want independence from Spain.

[Bullfight Fan]:
„They don’t want to be Spanish. They don’t want to be Spanish because we are in Catalonia, because of a minority which is called the Republican Left, and they are asking back for all the favors they gave the Socialist government.“

Barcelona’s last remaining bull ring will shutdown when the ban comes into effect in 2012.

On the last fight there before the vote, bullring workers marched in support of bullfighting.

Supporters say what the Spaniards call the „corrida“ is an art form that is vital to preserve.

But animal rights groups, who argue that it is cruel and involves gratuitous animal suffering, hope Catalonia’s ban will spark a wave of similar campaigns across Spain.

Foto: NTDTV