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Activists demand permanent end to bullfighting in Mexican capital

Mexico City, Jun 2 (EFE).- Mexican animal-rights protesters on Thursday urged a judge to permanently ban bullfights in this capital.

Gathering outside a courthouse in southern Mexico City, dozens of activists with the “Va por sus derechos” organization demanded a ruling that brings a definitive end those events at the Plaza Mexico bullring.

“This is a peaceful event aimed at supporting Judge Jonathan Bass (Herrera) in (making a) difficult – but necessary and also just – decision to definitively suspend bullfights in Mexico City,” the spokeswoman for that organization, Sonia Segovia, said.

The demonstrators held up signs with messages denouncing bullfighting: “Torture Isn’t Art or Culture,” “Listen Up: No More Bullfights,” “Culture Without Torture” and “Don’t Amuse Yourself at an Animal’s Expense.”

At one point during the hours-long demonstration, which began in the morning and spilled over into the afternoon, bullfighting supporters staged a counter-protest.

“Our movement is completely peaceful, and we’re not going to let ourselves be provoked. We have the legal framework that shows we’re in the right, and we see clearly that the judges are working accordingly” and will rule in the activists’ favor, Segovia said.

Thursday’s demonstration was held less than a week after Bass Herrera granted an injunction that immediately suspended bullfights in the capital, albeit only on a temporary basis, and ordered a hearing on whether they should be permanently banned.

That ruling was issued in response to an injunction request filed by the organization Justicia Justa, which argued that bulls were being denied anti-cruelty protections afforded to other animal species.

Last December, the Mexico City assembly’s Animal Welfare Committee gave preliminary approval to a bill that would have permanently banned bullfights.

It argued that animals have constitutional protection as sentient beings and therefore should be treated in a dignified and respectful manner.

But to the disappointment of animal activists, the bill has floundered since then and not been put to a vote before the full assembly. EFE

ppc/mc

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