Mexico City (AP) – Mexico City lawmakers voted Tuesday in favor of banning violent bullfighting, sparking fanatic rage and celebrations of animal rights advocates.
The legislation was approved by a 61-1 vote, prohibiting the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could harm animals. This also sets the time limit, i.e. the time bulls are on the ring, part of an initiative known as the “violent struggle.”
The decision sparked angry protests from bullfighters and bullfighters, some of which attempted to violate police roadblocks in local Congress. Some carry signs that “becoming La Fiesta Brava is not a crime, it’s a sense of pride.”
Celebrating animal rights protesters and joined by Mexican city mayor Clara Brugada, said the decision will help the Mexican capital become a place where animal rights are respected and they will not tolerate abuse or violence. ”
After years of back and forth practice, Tuesday’s vote appears to be an attempt to compromise on the two battles of the debate.
Bullfighting has long been considered a tradition and pastime in Latin American countries, but has been criticized for animal cruelty as bulls are often killed at the end of the battle. Animal rights groups say about 180,000 bulls are killed in the bullfighting ring every year around the world.
The tradition has long attracted a large crowd across Mexico, and it took a hit when a judge in Mexico City banned the practice in June 2022, closing an arena called the world’s largest bullfighting ring. The judge ruled that bullfighting violated the rights of urban residents to a healthy environment without violence.
Although animal rights advocates celebrate it as a victory and have taken a step towards ending bloody traditions, the Bullfighter said it has dealt an economic blow to the city. The National Association of Mexican Fighting Bull Breeders says bullfighting generates 80,000 direct jobs and 146,000 indirect jobs across the country.
In 2023, the Mexico Supreme Court overturned the ban without explanation, causing the bullring to be flooded with the so-called “Carnival Warriors” fans again.
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