Protest in Madrid against bullfighting

On Sunday, May 11, we protested together with AnimaNaturalis against bullfighting in the Spanish capital, Madrid. The demonstration took place during the traditional San Isidro festivities, a period in which nearly 200 bulls are killed in bullfights. The San Isidro bullfighting events are held between May 9 and June 15.

Protest in Madrid against bullfighting | Picture: CAS International / AnimaNaturalis

The protest was held in front of the Las Ventas bullring. Over fifty activists covered their bodies in red liquid, symbolising the blood of the bulls spilled during San Isidro. During the protest, we criticised the use of public funds to support a sector that represents only a small minority of the population.

Madrid continues to invest in the bullfighting sector

Despite declining public interest, the region of Madrid continues to invest heavily in the bullfighting industry. Over the past three years, €2.2 million has gone towards the maintenance of the Las Ventas bullring. In addition, €3 million in aid was granted to bull breeders during the pandemic. For 2025, new multi-million euro allocations are planned: €1.7 million for bullfighting and €3.1 million for the regional broadcaster Telemadrid, which will air 45 bullfights.

Picture: CAS International / AnimaNaturalis

The numbers speak for themselves

According to the Ministry of Culture, only 8% of Spaniards attended a bullfighting event between 2018 and 2019. The number of organised events has halved in the past decade. A recent study by the BBVA Foundation shows that 78% of the population is opposed to the use of animals in entertainment. Among young people aged 18 to 24, that figure rises to 92%. This sentiment is also reflected in other surveys. In 2024, Ipsos I&O Publiek conducted research on behalf of CAS International, surveying 7,500 people about bullfighting. The study revealed that the majority of people in Spain, France, and Portugal oppose bullfighting, believing that the tradition causes unnecessary suffering to bulls.

Majority of people in European bullfighting countries against the harmful tradition

In February, 715,606 signatures were officially submitted in support of a citizens’ initiative calling for the repeal of the law that protects bullfighting as cultural heritage. Of these, nearly 665,000 were declared valid. It is time for the Spanish Parliament to listen to its citizens and put an end to the support for cruel traditions.

715,606 signatures to end bullfighting as cultural heritage in Spain