Belgian animal rights activist Christina de Leu and her Dutch colleague Peter Janssen were severely beaten when they disrupted a bullfight in Santarém, Portugal, last weekend. The two jumped over two fences and ran into the center square of the packed arena to protest against unnecessary animal suffering.
Koen Van De Sype
Latest update:
6:06 PM
The action of the ‘Vegan Strike Group’ took place on Saturday, in the heart of the Portuguese bullfighting industry. June 10 is a national holiday in Portugal, which meant that the arena was packed to the brim.
Images that the animal rights activists made and shared with HLN show how de Leu (from Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve in Walloon Brabant) and Janssen jump over two fences from the public gallery, walk into the central square and take off their shirts. Their bodies bear slogans calling for an end to the “bloodshed”. They also try to display banners.
Trap
Almost immediately, however, staff rush to the ground and force the two to the ground. Janssen even gets a kick to his body. Then they are dragged away.
De Leu and Janssen were then handcuffed at the police station for four hours. “We got nothing for the pain. We will have to appear in court later and we risk a hefty fine,” says Janssen.
He was injured in the head and was bleeding profusely. “Christina was kicked in the vagina,” he says. “Really awful. They dragged her along, but luckily she was not injured. Alas, the pain I feel is negligible compared to the pain, suffering and stress of the bulls and horses in the arenas. We will continue until all bullfights stop.”
dolphinarium
A new action followed on Sunday morning, this time in a dolphinarium in Albufeira, in the south of Portugal. There, too, the two activists disrupted a show, this time by diving into the water. “Because it took so long for the police to arrive, the show did not continue and the full stands had to be evacuated,” said Janssen. “People need to understand that these beautiful, intelligent marine mammals are not clowns and have a right to a life of freedom. A concrete basin is not a place to spend their entire lives.”
The ‘Vegan Strike Group’ has been championing animal rights in the entertainment industry for a decade. The animal rights organization is known for its direct way of fighting. Actions are organized at the place where the animal suffering takes place.
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