Animal rights activists protest bullfighting in Colombia

Jamaican Times (IANS) Sunday 5th February, 2012

Some 180 half-naked people in the northwestern city of Medellin positioned themselves to form the word "stop" to demand an end to bullfighting in Colombia.

"'Stop. That's enough of bullfights, of mistreating animals': That is our message for the world that looks down on us," said Animanaturalis representative Edison Duque, the coordinator of the event in Medellin.

The event was held Saturday in the Parque de los Deseos, a venue provided to them by the Medellin Public Companies Foundation, a few hours before the start of one of the bullfights held within the framework of the city's bull festival.

For about two hours, the anti-bullfighting group withstood intense sunshine and imitated the postures of the bulls as they die in the ring, covered with paint to resemble dried blood.

"We want to make clear that these are teaching, educational events and are never against anyone. What we want is for the torture of animals to end and not to have death made into a celebration," Duque said.

Numerous curious onlookers came up to the demonstrators to observe their activities and exchanged comments with them about the practice of bullfighting in Colombia, one of the parts of the world where it is most enthusiastically followed.

--IANS/EFE

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