Corrida
Bullfighting: torture in the name of tradition
Surrounded by fences, the bulls have no way out. For everyone who enters the arena, death is at the end of the tunnel: it comes after a long ordeal, under the shouts of the crowd. This suffering, acclaimed, applauded, staged and shown to families, is nothing but violence. Bullfighting is a deception disguised as art.
One Voice is fighting against the perpetuation of bullfighting in all its forms. Our investigations, relayed by the media, enable us to reveal its true face to the public: not that of a fight on equal terms, but that of brutality, lies and torture.
Why are we fighting against the exploitation of bulls for entertainment?
Bulls, gentle and peaceful creatures
Bulls spontaneously shun conflict. Their nature is more peaceful than aggressive, and you have to push them to their limits to provoke their reactions. The bulls used in bullfighting have undergone a long selection process. This lucrative industry has thus obtained smaller animals, intended solely for show. Pushed into the arena, the bulls are attacked by the shouts of the crowd and the thunderous music, and weakened by the deep pokes. Far from their herd and their landmarks, their stress is unspeakable. Disorientated, they have no choice but to try and protect themselves.
A three-act kill
As soon as they leave the toril, the bulls have to be out of breath with long runs. Then the picadors enter the scene. At the risk of their mounts, they drive spikes into their withers and slice the ligaments at the back of their necks to keep their foreheads down. Finally, into an already bruised withers, the bullfighter delivers the final blow, often repeating himself several times. If these sword blows are not effective, the disguised torturer will thrust a dagger into the spinal cord before cutting off the ears and tail.
Bullfighting, an outrageous exception to the law
“The act, whether publicly or not, of inflicting serious abuse or committing an act of cruelty on a domestic or tame animal, or one held in captivity, is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros.
Article 521-1 – Criminal Code
Illegal and subsidised cruelty
These scenes of torture are accessible to even the youngest children. Children as young as 6 can attend. Although this cruelty is illegal, it is exempt in certain regions when bullfighting is part of a “continuous and uninterrupted” local tradition, and can benefit from subsidies from town councils looking for local entertainment and from the European Union for breeding farms. Bullfighting – bullfighting, but also Camargue and Landaise races – contributes to the trivialisation of brutality.
Bullfighting schools: learning violence
If children can attend bullfights, they can also take part in them. Specialised schools teach them how to kill, so they themselves become the perpetrators of the cruelty inflicted on the animals… Our investigations in bullfighting schools revealed that from the age of six, children are forced to martyr young calves.
Key figures
An alarming fact
Our proposals
Our proposals to the French government
- Ban the practice of bullfighting in France (remove the exception for the torture of animals that applies to bullfighting).
- At the very least, bullfighting performances should be off-limits to minors under the age of 16.
- Close bullfighting schools for children and ban novilladas.
History
The whole story of our fight against bullfighting
2012
One Voice's investigation into the "Graines de toreros" trophy reveals the horror of children being trained to slaughter young bulls in the ring.
2011
One Voice and its association partners are mobilising against the inclusion of bullfighting on the World Heritage List. They are forming a collective, "No to the French shame", and demonstrating together in Nîmes.
2010
One Voice launches Operation Sitting Bull with CRAC during a circle of silence in Nîmes. The manifesto "For Nîmes reconciled with the bull" was circulated. An alternative to bullfighting was found: a water festival linked to the town's history! 27 foreign associations joined us.
2009
One Voice is partnering CRAC in a major poster campaign in Marseille, creating controversy: the poster has been censored four times!
2009
One Voice's investigation into the bullfighting world reveals cheating, manipulation of the public and exacerbated cruelty.
2007
One Voice is taking part in a major European event in Lisbon with its partner Animal.
2002
Union for animals, a coalition of associations founded by One Voice and several partners, is calling for the repeal of the law that protects bullfighting practices from criminal prosecution. Before doing so, it is calling for a ban on bullfighting for under-16s.
To mark the World Congress of Bullfighting Cities, One Voice/Talis is demonstrating in Nîmes with the Alliance for the Abolition of Bullfighting.
1998
One Voice/Talis is joining forces with the WSPA against bullfighting during the football World Cup, with actions in France and the UK. A poster campaign is being run in the London Underground, and the poster in French and English is being projected onto the Arc de Triomphe, which is being transformed into a giant screen for the occasion! The event will be broadcast by Agence France Presse and on television channels around the world. The British Minister for Sport and Member of Parliament will be supporting our campaign by urging British tourists not to attend bullfights.
1998
A carnival bull is at the heart of a number of events in Alsace, winning over the public and the media alike.
1997
Théodore Monod, patron of One Voice/Aequalis, demonstrating alongside him in Nîmes during the action organised by the Alliance for the abolition of bullfighting.