Freeman calls for end to bull run
July 07, 2004
OLYMPIC golden girl (Australian) Cathy Freeman has written a scathing letter to the mayor of Pamplona calling for an end to the Running of the Bulls and bullfighting in the Spanish town.
The letter, written on behalf of international animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was sent to Mayor Yolanda Barcina Angulo today.
"Running is something that I have enjoyed for years but your Running of the Bulls is no fun for the animals," Freeman wrote in the letter.
"The world is watching and hoping that you will do the right thing.
"Ms Angulo, I beg you, make this the last year of the bloody race."
Freeman said she wanted the "barbaric" event turned into a "joyful, all-volunteer, humans-only run.
"With a 'human race' everyone wins," she said.
"Having only willing participants makes it an event which everyone can take pride in and enjoy."
She said she was shocked to learn that the bulls were stampeded through the streets of Pamplona during the day and then "tormented and slaughtered in the ring that night".
"Word is getting out that bulls 'fought' in bullfights are treated like garbage, deliberately weakened with laxatives and beatings behind the ring before being teased, tortured and stabbed to death in front of a screaming crowd," Freeman said.
"This is medieval, not an activity that belongs in the 21st century."
She implored the mayor to follow the lead of other places such as the Canary Islands, Tossa de Mar and La Vajol which have all banned bullfighting - a move which she said won them international acclaim and respect.
A spokeswoman for Freeman said she would not make any further comment beyond the letter.
PETA's Asia Pacific representative Jason Baker said the group was grateful for Freeman's willingness to support the cause.
"In recent years, she has become quite outspoken on the issue of animal welfare," Mr Baker said.
"She is the perfect spokeswoman for animals, she speaks so well and people know that when she speaks out about something, she truly means it."
He said PETA was opposed to the annual event which attracted thousands from around the world.
Mr Baker said before the race, electric prods and sharp sticks were typically used to torment and frighten the bulls into a stampede.
He said for the third consecutive year, PETA members would, this July, lead hundreds of activists, wearing nothing but bull horns and non-leather running shoes in a "Running of the Nudes", along the same route that the bulls would be forced to follow in protest at the cruel event.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,10072139%5E1702,00.html
! lol! everybody started cracking up cuz the expression on my face... i was pleasantly surprised as it really is delicious!