Barcelona's City Councilmen cast historic votes on April 6, 2004, declaring the Catalonian capital an anti-bullfight city. Jordi Portabella, the city's deputy mayor had previously declared his opposition to bullfighting in front of hundreds of protestors, saying, “Barcelona must act like a capital and be a pioneer in the abolition of bullfighting.”

Leah Garcés, Head of Campaigns for the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), said, "The vote is a giant step forward for animal welfare and will help lead the way to what could be the beginning of the end of bullfighting in Spain. We are delighted that the City Council is listening to the views of its citizens and has the courage to denounce such an outdated practice."

The landmark decision follows years of campaigning by the World Society for the Protection of Animals' (WSPA) and Asociación Defensa Derechos Animal (ADDA), whose 'Culture Without Cruelty' campaign has so far received over a quarter of a million signatures from around the world in support of an end to bullfighting throughout Catalonia.

Carmen Mendez, ADDA President, said, "The majority of the people of Barcelona are against the cruelty of bullfighting. Not only is the City Council setting a precedent by declaring Barcelona an anti-bullfight city, it is proving itself to be a modern and enlightened city that isn't afraid to turn its back on cruel traditions."

An opinion poll conducted in 2003 found that 63% of Barcelona's residents do not want bullfights to continue in their city, with more than half (55%) agreeing that Barcelona should declare itself an anti-bullfight city. Bullfights are viewed as cruel and non-educational by 76%; 59% of residents have never been to a bullfight and just 7% see bullfights as being positive for Barcelona's reputation. The overwhelming majority of those surveyed agree that animals suffer when mistreated (98%) and that the suffering of animals for entertainment should be banned (96%).

Click here to visit the Culture Without Cruelty campaign Web site.Please be advised that there are graphic bullfight images on this site that may be disturbing to those sensitive to animal suffering.