Thousands of anti-bullfighting protesters took to the streets of Madrid this weekend to demand the bloodsport be banned.
The march in Puerta del Sol on Saturday was part of animal rights party PACMA’s annual ‘Mision Abolicion’ (Abolition Mission).
According to the Government Delegation, around 1,200 people attended, bu organisers put the figure at closer to 10,000.
PACMA said in a post on X on Sunday: ‘Yesterday we filled Sol to demand the abolition of bullfighting in Spain.
‘10,000 people participated in the largest anti-bullfighting demonstration, organized by PACMA, held in our country. We will not stop until abolition!’
Activists arrived from across Spain, with many wearing green scarves, the movement’s symbol.
After several years of holding the event near the Las Ventas bullring, the protest returned to the heart of the capital.
The march wound through key downtown streets (Carrera de San Jeronimo, Plaza de las Cortes, Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, and Calle de Alcala) before looping back to Puerta del Sol, accompanied by the steady rhythm of a batucada drum troupe.
The demonstration remained peaceful and incident-free, according to PACMA.
Speakers included influencers Thomi Skadi and Sandra Krief (of France’s animal rights party), as well as PACMA’s national president Javier Luna and spokesperson Yolanda Morales.
PACMA stressed that turnout reflected ‘growing social rejection of bullfighting,’ which, despite declining support, still receives substantial public subsidies.
