Including most of the members of Javea Connect I believe!
Bous a la Mar (“throwing” bulls into the sea) is an event that has brought controversy for years in the towns where it is practiced.
Being that the bull is an animal that does not know how to swim, later they have to help it out and this is sometimes not possible, so some have drowned as happened in 2023, echoing the news in multitude of media.
The bull is not the only victim at these festivities, let’s remember that numerous people have died this summer, not counting the hundreds of people injured, including minors, and that all this violence can also be seen by children from the stands.
Now, the Animal Rights Party PACMA has announced the call for a demonstration in Dénia next month, on July 5th, coinciding with the beginning of Denia’s patron saint festivities, as part of its new National offensive against these bullfighting events. This protest marks the beginning of a more forceful campaign by the animal rights party, which they had already warned about at the beginning of the year, during the Fitur international fair, that the Fiesta of Bous a la Mar would be in the spotlight of its roadmap for 2025.
The protest, which will be held at 20:00 p.m. in the Plaza de la Constitución, has been announced through social networks.
Reaction to the lack of response from the City Council
Days ago, PACMA sent a Official statement to the Dénia City Council’s governing team requesting the suppression of bullfighting events included in the party programs. Apparently, the lack of an institutional response has motivated this first demonstration, which could be a prelude to further protests during the summer.
PACMA denounces what it considers a practice “cruel and anachronistic”, in reference to the tradition of throw bulls into the sea during the development of the Bous a la Mar, in the port area. In his opinion, these animals suffer “an extreme level of stress” when they find themselves surrounded by crowds and forced to jump or fall into the water, which in some cases, they point out, can lead to death by drowning.
A tradition under the spotlight
The Bous a la Mar of Dénia are one of the most emblematic and at the same time most controversial traditions of the patron saint festivities in honour of the Sang Santíssima. Declared National Tourist Interest, also has a long history of criticism from animal rights organizations both nationally and internationally.
The City Council has not yet issued any statement in response to this call. The demonstration on July 5th will be an initial indicator to assess the social reach of the campaign promoted by PACMA and its effect on the public debate on the future of the Bous a la Mar.