Police and Bullfight Fans Attack Protesters with Weapons, Sending Four to Hospital
The News
Bullfight fans who cheer when terrified animals are stabbed to death seized on the chance to commit their own acts of brutality. When 150 members of the anti-bullfight group CRAC Europe jumped into the arena in Southern France, both fans and police attacked them with batons, tear gas and a metal bar, sending four to the hospital. In his description of the harrowing experience, CRAC president Jean-Pierre Garriques said, “Several aficionados attempted to throw activists over the side of the ring.” By jumping into the arena and disbursing, the activists had hoped to stop or delay the bullfight. What they did not anticipate was the police and fans violently beating them to the cheers of onlookers. Raw footage:
Your Turn
Violence begets violence, so bullfight fans attacking protesters should come as no surprise. Still, the degree of the beatings is unexpected in a developed country like France. Ironically, bullfighting is punishable by two years in prison for animal cruelty in the 90% of the country where it’s illegal.” Learn more about bullfight cruelty and discourage your friends who visit France, Mexico and Spain from attending one.
I totally agree with all the above comments! I can imagine that some or even many psychopathic individuals enjoy organizing or watching dog fights or that sort of spectacles, but the scale of the bullfighting and its support from the government shows how corrupt and hypocritical todays world is.
Bullfighting is absolutely barbaric and should not be a part of any civilized society. Those who enjoy such a spectacle, I believe, are substandard members of our species, lacking in character and compassion. “Entertainment” that abuses animals is a coarsening experience and does no one any good. That bullfighting is considered part of a tradition or a culture is no excuse. Physical torture and slavery were once a part of cultures too. We got rid of them.
And more violence from last year:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVIi7GQv1T0
More video footage from Maubourguet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pblCCaEslIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IDF1UwJ4WE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbbllsIrJHc
France: 21st Century? Check. Western Europe? Check. Civilised country? No way!!!
Shame .
Stop this barbaric practice!
As a british citizen who goes on holiday to the south of France , I became involved in various anticorrida organisations. I have been on many protests , Beziers being the most recent , 2 weeks ago..yes the aficionados are violent . We need to get the word out there so more British are aware of the barbarity of bullfighting. .
Josie Jackson. .
This is such a crazy story! I’m shocked, but hopefully with getting the word out about what happened it will show the world how barbaric bull fighting and what the spectators are like.