NEARLY 15,000 people protested yesterday (Saturday) in Madrid over one of Spain's most famous bull-fighting exhibitions, the Toro de la Vega.
Although previous demonstrations have taken place in the town of Tordesillas (Valladolid province), in the northern part of central Spain, the organisers wanted more visibility and so have chosen to move to the capital.
Members of the Partido Animalista – an animal rights independent political party which as yet has no representation in the central government – say both the right-wing PP and the left-wing PSOE are 'responsible' for the 'cruel and barbaric' act of the Toro de la Vega.
The PP is in government in the region of Castilla y León, and the PSOE in the town of Tordesillas.
“It's time to address both parties directly and hold them accountable for the cruelty which is about to take place on Tuesday,” said a spokeswoman for the Partido Animalista.
Demonstrators snapped a lance in half – the type used to spear bulls in the ring – as they read out manifestos in front of the PP headquarters on the C/ Génova and the socialists' central office on the C/ Ferraz in the capital.
They called the Toro de la Vega 'an iconic display of animal cruelty' and said it is one of the most 'savage and brutal' of its type in Spain.
Several Spanish celebrities either took part in or endorsed the demonstration, including actress Beatriz Rico, author Soledad Puértolas, and TV presenter María Valverde.
The latter said the Toro de la Vega was 'downright shameful' and should be at the top of the government's in-tray for issues to resolve.
But the Partido Animalista says they doubt whether either the left or the right will bother taking action 'unless and until it affects their own interests'.
