Love Spain, Hate Bullfighting? Send letter, sign petition

BACKGROUND

The bullfighting lobby has submitted to the Spanish Congress of Deputies a Popular Legislative Initiative full of irregularities seeking to shield bullfighting in Spain declaring it a National Cultural Heritage.

This would not only include the shielding of regular bullfighting in bullrings, but also the celebration of acts as cruel as the Toro de la Vega in Tordesillas, where a bull is killed with spears by people on horseback and foot, or the Toro de Jubilo, where, for pure fun, a bull’s horns are set on fire and the animal is subsequently executed.

Bullfighting in Spain currently receives about 600 million in public subsidies. Should this law be passed, it would still get more. This is totally unjustified, if we consider that, according to the latest poll made by Ipsos MORI in April of 2013, only 13% of Spaniards strongly support this activity, and that Spanish people have other priorities they wish to direct their taxes to.

But even more disturbing is the fact that this law includes programs to ensure new generations of bullfighting fans, children whose nature leads them  to instinctively feel empathy and compassion towards animals, shall be denatured and taught to stick harpoons (banderillas), spears (pikes), and swords in the tender backs of calves at bullfighting schools as something we should aspire to. They will be taught that those who torture an animal to death for 20 minutes for pure entertainment are heroes.

All this, ignoring recent studies presented by leading international psychiatrists such as Dr. JP Richier in France, which demonstrate how harmful this is for the moral and psychological development of children, and the construction of a less violent society.

WHOM TO CONTACT

We ask and we welcome you to write to the Spanish embassy in your country, making sure that you send us a copy of your email to info@latorturanoescultura.com, so that we can keep track of the emails sent, asking them not to approve this law.

Here I leave a list of embassies and consulates of Spain in the world, where you can find the email address to which to write:

(The United States embassy in Washington DC is emb.washington@maec.es)

TWITTER

Please share this action on Social Networks with the hashtag #LoveSpainHateBullfights

You can use this message: “Please contact the Spanish Embassy today and ask them not to protect cruelty #LoveSpainHateBullfights http://tinyurl.com/bpu8a8j”

SAMPLE LETTER

Estimado Embajador,

Hemos sido informados de que el Gobierno Español está considerando legislación, con el fin de proteger y promover las corridas de toros y para reconocerlas como patrimonio cultural. Además, entendemos que tal legislación permitiría la utilización de fondos públicos para apoyar a la industria. Lo que es más, estos fondos también podrían ser usados para introducir a los niños a las corridas de toros.

Respetuosamente aunque con gran preocupación me dirijo a usted pues está demostrado que las corridas de toros causan un gran sufrimiento a los toros y desensibilizan a las personas, especialmente a los niños, ante la violencia.

Quisiera solicitar que comunique mi petición a su gobierno para que considere cuidadosamente las opiniones de la mayoría de sus propios ciudadanos, que no apoyan las corridas de toros y no quieren que sus fondos públicos sean utilizados para un pasatiempo tan controvertido y anacrónico.

Su gobierno tiene una oportunidad real de hacer una diferencia positiva por los animales en su país, enviando un claro mensaje a la ciudadanía española y a la comunidad internacional en general de que España ya no tolerará la crueldad hacia los animales bajo el pretexto del entretenimiento o la cultura; y para mostrarles a otros, incluidas las personas jóvenes, que debemos proteger, en lugar de maltratar, a los animales.

Le instamos a que tome una posición compasiva en contra de las corridas de toros. Al oponerse a la legislación propuesta, acordando no declararlas patrimonio cultural y por lo tanto evitando el uso de fondos públicos, usted ganará el apoyo de ciudadanos alrededor del mundo.

Atentamente,

TRANSLATION

Dear Ambassador,

We have been informed that the Spanish government is considering legislation in order to protect and promote bullfighting and to recognize them as cultural heritage. Furthermore, we understand that this legislation would allow the use of public funds to support the industry. What’s more, these funds could also be used to introduce children to the bullfights.

Respectfully though with great concern I am writing it is shown that bullfighting cause great suffering to the bull and desensitize people, especially children, to violence.

I would ask that communicate my request to your government to carefully consider the views of the majority of its own citizens, who do not support bullfighting and do not want their funds are used for a hobby so controversial and anachronistic.

His government has a real opportunity to make a positive difference for the animals in their country, sending a clear message to Spanish citizens and the international community at large that Spain no longer tolerate animal cruelty under the guise of entertainment or culture, and to show others, including young people, we should protect rather than abuse, animals.

We urge you to take a compassionate stand against bullfighting. In opposing the proposed legislation, agreeing not to declare cultural heritage and thus avoiding the use of public funds, you will gain the support of citizens around the world.

Sincerely,

PETITION

US citizens, please click HERE to sign petition

UK residents take action here.

Live outside U.S. or U.K., sign this version.

BACKGROUND | SOURCE HSI

Right now, the Spanish government is considering a law to protect and promote bullfighting, an outdated spectacle that causes the slow and tortuous death of a beautiful bull.

The majority of Spanish citizens don’t support bullfighting. Nor do they want their taxes spent protecting it.

Join us in opposing the proposed new law by sending a message to the Spanish government today!

Spain has so many treasures to cherish, but by supporting and protecting the killing of bulls for entertainment, Spain’s government risks leaving a terrible legacy for future generations.

The torment and death of animals for amusement, or for cultural reasons, can never be acceptable. It is cruel and outdated, and has no place in a modern society.

Write now: Ask the Spanish government to do the right thing.

Let them know that by taking a compassionate stance against this cruel pastime, they would surely win the hearts of citizens around the world.

Thanks for all you do for animals.

your nation and heritage,
of which you are so proud,
should no longer include
screams of torments
from bloodthirsty crowds.
bullfighting is cruel and
teaches children that
animals are inferior.
and that is OK to harm
those to whom you feel
superior.
this is the 21st century,
no more bulls in this
way should ever be
destroyed.
there are activities of kindness
to be much more, enjoyed.

Karen Lyons Kalmenson