Spanish youths protest over bullfighting cut backs
Thursday, August 13, 2009 @ 1:24 PM
Young people in Spain have protested against budget cuts that have forced summer fiesta organisers to limit the number of bullfights held in the town of Pinto.
Gangs of youths pelted the local town hall with eggs and tomatoes to vent their anger at the decision. As a result of town hall cut backs, the towns of Pinto and Rivas-Vaciamadrid, have scrapped their bullfights. The sport usually forms the highlight of local celebrations during August and September.
"The news has been very badly received in the town and we feel we have been tricked by the local government," said José Antonio Pérez, president of a club for bullfighting aficionados in Pinto, told the Financial Times. "This is the first time in living memory that we have not had a fight." Pinto normally holds bullfights between August 13 and 15 and the fiesta is in honour of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. But the local council said they were too expensive.
Juan José Martín, the socialist mayor, told El País newspaper that it had been a "difficult and painful decision". The budget for the fiestas has been slashed from 500,000 ($711,200, £430,400) to 142,000 and the town owes 800 of its municipal staff back pay.
According to Mr Pérez, the youths attacked Pinto's town hall because they resented the cancellation of the performance of a local 20-year-old apprentice matador. "What youngsters most enjoy is running the bulls through the streets before the bullfight," he added.
Source: The Telegraph