Portugal's animal welfare advocates protest against bullfighting
Portugal's animal welfare advocates protested against cruel bullfights and bull races. The movement against animal cruelty as tradition is steadily growing.
On 26 August 2021, around 1,500 people gathered in Lisbon to protest loudly and in no uncertain terms against bullfighting.
They assembled in front of the entrance to the Campo Pequeno arena, where a bullfight was about to begin. It also served as a tribute to the controversial bullfighter João Moura, as a local newspaper reports.
The demonstrators carried banners and placards bearing messages such as «Down with animal cruelty», «It is a national disgrace», «My respects go to the greyhounds that survived João Moura»«, «»For an end to bullfighting and abuse«.
The demonstrators called the organisers murderers and accused them of torture. This was the largest gathering of individuals and animal welfare organisations in a broad protest promoted on social media «CONTRA HOMENAGEM A JOÃO MOURA», organized by the IRA.
The protests continued well into the night. There were isolated clashes with police.
Over a thousand people are here to protest against this tribute, but also against bullfighting. There is a new society that respects animals, treats them reasonably, and does not accept that this type of activity can take place in Portugal, in the heart of our capital.
Inês Sousa Real, Chair of the PAN environmental party
João Moura, who was celebrated by spectators inside the Campo Pequeno arena, had been temporarily arrested the previous year and is now awaiting trial. During a raid on his estate, 16 malnourished greyhounds had been found.
