WaPo: Spain's Catalonia votes to outlaw bullfighting

[Heidi]

Wednesday, July 28, 2010; 9:04 AM

BARCELONA (Reuters) - The Catalan parliament dealt the death blow to bullfighting in the region on Wednesday, outlawing the centuries-old spectacle for the first time in mainland Spain.

The result of 68 in favor, 55 against the ban was expected, since Catalonia's parliament had accepted a citizens' petition to stop bullfighting with activists concerned about animal cruelty battling devotees of the renowned Spanish tradition.

In the debate, some lawmakers cited the declining popularity of bullfighting in Spain, where fewer people go each year to the arena to watch toreros in their distinctive "suits of lights" wield red capes and swords at close range against enraged bulls.

"There are some traditions that can't remain frozen in time as society changes. We don't have to ban everything, but the most degrading things should be banned," said Josep Rull, member of parliament for the Catalonian nationalist party (CiU).

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[joeybee12]

1. Very good news...it's a barbaric "tradition" n/t

[bif]

2. They should do what's done in southern France

They allow bullfighting, but the bull doesn't die.

[tabatha]

4. That is still cruel.

[joeybee12]

5. I agree...no animal deserves to be tormented for sport or entertainment...n/t

[cilla4progress]

12. What? Just tortured?

One hates to be ethnocentric, but this barbaric "sport" needs to go the way of the moat and knights in shining armor!

[felinetta]

15. I say welcome to the 21st century. Wow, it sure took you long enough.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

3. Si!

[Fleshdancer]

6. I'm very surprised by this

I'm happy about it obviously, but I didn't think it would happen anytime soon. Thanks for proving me wrong Espana!

[marmar]

8. Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, is different than much of Spain.....

..... Spanish isn't even the primary language.

[Fleshdancer]

10. I understand, but it's a start...

hopefully Madrid will follow.

[marmar]

7. I went to a bullfight at Las Ventas in Madrid....because it is a part of Spanish culture.....

...... The friend I was traveling with and I could only take about 3 rounds and we had to leave.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Wow. Great and unexpected news.

I don't care if something is considered "tradition" and "culture" -- vile is vile and brutality is brutality.

[EFerrari]

11. That's awesome.

[Triana]

13. Excellent! Now if other regions would do the same. n/t

[liberalla]

14. Bravo Catalonia!

Just when you think things will never change...

[Scurrilous]

16. Good news.

:thumbsup: