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A monthly Magazine edited and published by Maria Lopes - December 2004 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR Dear Friends,
We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This is a busy month where families gather together to celebrate but even if you are very busy please don't forget those that don't know what these holidays are all about . They need us. For them holidays don't exist and in reality for many of them are probably their worst nightmare. For the Animals Maria Lopes Coordinator of the International Movement Against Bullfights "Nothing will benefit human health and increase
chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian
diet. It is my view that the vegetarian manner of living, by its purely physical
effect on the human temperament, would most beneficially influence the lot of
mankind." FRANCE Support a bullfighting ban in
France
Source: Soledad Iriart In France last June, MP Mme Marlan Militello proposed a law to ban bullfighting in the whole of France. The law is going to be voted on quite soon, and fellow campaigners of that country are asking us to send the following letter to the relevant politicians. A bullfighting ban in France would be a significant step forwards on our fight for animals and it would put a major strain on Spain who are also starting to wake up to the idea of a ban on this cruel and barbaric practice. Currently more than 60 towns are organizing bullfights in France, especially in the southwest. But if this law is pass, there will be no more bullfights in France! Please send the following letter(in French and
English) to the four people mentioned below (French President, Prime Minister,
President of the Deputy Chamber, President of the Senate) to ask for the
abolition of bullfights in France. A postal address is also included if you want
to print the letter and send it by postal mail. A copy should also be sent to
Madame Marlan-Militello, the MP who proposed the anti-bullfight law. Please ask
friends and family to send this letter.
At the bottom, for your information only, you
can find a translation of the letter.
To:
Jacques Chirac: http://www.elysee.fr/ecrire/mail.htm Jean-Pierre Raffarin: http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/fr/p.cfm?ref=6959
Jean-Louis Debré: jldebre@assemblee-nationale.fr
Christian Poncelet: c.poncelet@senat.fr
With copies to:
Madame Marland-Militello: mmarland@assemblee-nationale.fr Monsieur Bernard Accoyer, baccoyer@assemblee-nationale.fr
président du groupe UMP à l’Assemblée) By postal mail to:
Jacques Chirac: Palais de l'Elysée, 55, rue du
faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
Jean-Pierre Raffarin: Hôtel de Matignon, 57 rue
de Varenne, 75700 Paris
Jean-Louis Debré: Casier de la Poste, Palais
Bourbon, 75355 PARIS 07 SP
Christian Poncelet: Sénat, 15 rue Vaugirard,
75006 PARIS
With copies to:
Madame Marland-Militello and Monsieur Bernard
Accoyer,
Casier de la Poste, Palais Bourbon, 75355 PARIS
07 SP
To : Monsieur Jacques Chirac, Président de la
République,
Monsieur Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Premier
Ministre,
Monsieur Jean-Louis Debré, Président de
l’Assemblée Nationale,
Monsieur Christian Poncelet, Président du
Sénat,
Messieurs les représentants de la République
Française,
Enfin !... Enfin un espoir !
Vous savez sans doute qu’une proposition de loi
a été déposée le 8 juin dernier par une courageuse députée, Madame
Marland-Militello, proposition visant à demander l’abrogation de l’alinéa 3 de
l’article 521-1 du code pénal, qui tolère dans votre pays les sévices graves et
actes de cruauté sur les taureaux en cas de « tradition locale ininterrompue ».
Cet alinéa est en effet un véritable scandale, et cette tolérance une véritable
honte pour le pays des droits de l’homme…
De l’étranger, nous recevons cette initiative
comme une nouvelle extraordinaire… Si seulement cette proposition pouvait
aboutir ! Mais cela ne se fera qu’avec une véritable volonté politique, et nous
vous demandons aujourd’hui de soutenir ce projet, qui va dans le sens de
l’Humanité, dans le sens du Progrès…
La France ne saurait rester dans ce domaine à la
traîne de l’Europe, alors que sept villes de Catalogne espagnole (pays qui est
tout de même le berceau de la tauromachie) se sont déclarées anti-taurines et
ont voté l’abolition de la corrida (dont Barcelone, la capitale catalane, le 6
avril dernier).
L’Espagne abolira-t-elle donc la torture
tauromachique avant la France ? Nous ne pouvons pas l’imaginer !
Savez-vous que dans toute l’Europe, cette
pratique est rejetée par l’immense majorité des citoyens ? C’est le cas en
France, en Espagne, au Portugal, mais dans des pays comme la Hollande, la
Belgique, l’Allemagne, l’Angleterre, les sondages sur le sujet ont pu atteindre
93 % de citoyens qui réprouvent la torture !
De l’étranger, cela donne de la France une image
très négative : la barbarie légalisée, et le sadisme autorisé… Cela paraît
invraisemblable…
Tolérer la corrida, c’est en effet accepter que
des enfants de 10 à 12 ans apprennent à torturer des veaux, c’est accepter que
des fonds publics soient utilisés pour financer la torture des arènes, c’est
accepter que des chevaux soient éventrés, que des taureaux subissent les pires
sévices avant même leur entrée dans l'arène et qu'ils soient torturés à mort
pendant 20 minutes, c’est accepter d'exalter les pires instincts d'un public
sadique et voyeur… Non, vraiment, ce n’est pas digne d’un pays dont la devise
est Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité…
Ne laissez pas passer cette occasion
exceptionnelle donnée à la France de retrouver sa dignité dans ce domaine (la
torture des arènes n’est légale que depuis 1951)...
Si le sujet est débattu à l’Assemblée, nul doute
que les députés s’exprimeront pour l’abrogation de cet alinéa, puisqu’ils
représentent les Français et que les Français s’opposent à la pratique
tauromachique à hauteur de 75 à 86% selon différents sondages réalisés entre
2001 et 2004. Il faut juste leur en laisser l’occasion, et il paraît nécessaire
dans une telle démarche qu’ils soient soutenus par les plus hauts personnages de
l’Etat.
Vous pourriez vraiment être fiers de représenter
un pays qui a fait ce choix humaniste… Vous pourriez vraiment être fiers d’être
de ceux qui ont permis l’abolition de la dernière torture légale en France….
Enfin cette épine dans le pied de la France
serait ôtée !…
Dans les dictionnaires, dans les livres
d’Histoire, un jour, on pourra lire : « La corrida était une pratique qui
consistait à torturer six taureaux pendant vingt minutes, jusqu’à la mort de
l’animal, dans des arènes, devant des hommes, des femmes, et des enfants… En
telle année, elle a été abolie, parce que les dirigeants du pays des droits de
l’homme ont finalement compris qu’on ne pouvait plus tolérer un tel spectacle.
»
Ces dirigeants, ce pourrait être
vous….
Je vous prie d’agréer, Messieurs les
Représentants de la République Française, l’expression de mes plus respectueuses
salutations.
Name/Country _______________________________________________
Dear Sirs, At last!... At last a hope!
You certainly know that a law proposal to ban bullfighting
was proposed last 8th of June by a courageous MP, Mme Marlan Militello. The aim
of the proposal is to ask for the abrogation of alinea 3 of article 521-1 of
French law code, which tolerates serious maltreatments and acts of cruelty on
bulls, in case of “uninterrupted local tradition”. This alinea is in fact a real
scandal and this tolerance is a true shame for the country of human
rights.
From abroad, we receive this initiative as an extraordinary
event… If only this proposal could succeed! But that will be done only with a
real political will, and we ask you today to support this project, which
promotes Humanity and Progress…
France must not stay behind the rest of Europe, while 7
cities in Catalonia, Spain –country that is the motherland of bullfighting– have
declared themselves anti-bullfighting, and voted for the abolition of
bullfights. So did Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, on the 6th of April
2004.
Will Spain abolish bullfighting torture before France? We
cannot imagine that!
Do you know that, all over Europe, bullfights are disapproved
by a huge majority of citizens? It is the case in France, Spain, and Portugal.
And in countries such as Holland, Belgium, Germany and United Kingdom, surveys
on this subject were as high as 93% of citizens condemning this as
torture!
From abroad, this gives a very negative image of France:
cruelty legalized, sadism authorized… This seems unbelievable…
To tolerate bullfights, is indeed to accept that children
from 10 to 12 learn to torture calves, to accept public funds to be used to
finance torture in the rings, to accept horses to be disembowelled, to accept
bulls to undergo the worst maltreatments even before entering the arena and to
accept them to be tortured to death during 20 minutes, to accept and encourage
the worse instincts of a sadistic and voyeuristic crowd… No, really, this is not
acceptable from a country whose moto is Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity…
Do not miss this exceptional opportunity given to France to
find back its dignity in this domain –the torture in bullrings is legal only
since 1951–…
If this subject is discussed in the French National
Parliament, there is no doubt that the MPs will speak for the abrogation of this
alinea, since they represent French people, and French people are opposed to the
bullfighting practice, as high as between 75 and 86% according to surveys
performed between 2001 and 2004. We must just give them the opportunity and it
seems necessary within such a process, to be supported by the most important
people of the State.
You should be really proud to represent a country, which has
made this humane choice… You should be really proud to be one of those who
enabled the abolition of the last legal torture in France…
Al last this very bad image of France would be
removed!...
In dictionaries, in History books, one day, we will be able
to read: “Bullfighting was a practice which consisted in torturing 6 bulls
during 20 minutes, to the death of the animal, in bullrings, in front of men,
women and children… In 200?, it was abolished, because leaders in the country of
Human Rights finally understood that one could not tolerate such a show.”
These leaders could be you…
Sincerely yours
Name/Country TURKEY
PROTEST AGAINST WEBSITE THAT PROMOTES HUNTING OF BEARS ETC, Source: Herma Caelen As you can read below this website invites you to hunt in Anatolia. Please send protest letters.
http://www.icemtour.com/contact_us.asp
"I would like to invite you to hunt the finest species big
game of Anatolia such as Anatolian brown bear, Anatolian wild bear, bezoar ibex,
Anatolian chamois, wolf, and small game like pheasant,partridge, quail and wild
chukar. U.S.A.
STOP COCKFIGHTING IN NEW MEXICO Source: Animal Voices Please send letters to the Governor of New Mexico http://www.governor.state.nm.us/constituentcontact.html Please personalize Judy Reed letter. with copies to:
ofscy@edd.state.nm.us, The Honorable Bill Richardson
Governor of New Mexico Office of the Governor State Capitol, Rm. 400 Santa Fe, NM 87501 Phone: (505) 476-2200 Tel.: 505-476-2200 Fax: 505-476 2226 Web Email: http://www.governor.state.nm.us/constituentcontact.html Re: Stop Cockfighting in New Mexico Dear Governor Richardson: I am extremely shocked and disappointed in you. You were
quoted in the New York Times' article, "Bastion of Cockfighting Is Under
Pressure to Ban It" by Simon Romero:
''I'm officially undecided on the issue, but I don't believe it merits the attention it's received. Every time it's introduced it distracts from pressing issues like access to health care or drunk-driving fatalities, serious problems affecting our population.'' With all due respect, Governor Richardson, this is a mighty pressing issue to countless innocent, sentient animals, those of us who are concerned about them, and the humans who live in and visit your state. This horrid activity causes very serious problems affecting the population, including likely fatalities. In addition to the suffering caused to innocent animals by this abusive and inhumane "activity," it is dangerous and detrimental to humans engaged in it and often involves other serious criminal behavior. Please consider:
~~ Law-enforcement officials have documented a connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs, gambling, and firearms at these events. There is also likely drinking, after which there is driving. ~~ Young children are often present at cockfights. Exposure
to such violence can promote an insensitivity to animal suffering and an
enthusiasm for violence, as well as the other activities in which cockfighters
are engaged.
~~ Cockfighters attach knives and ice-pick-like gaffs up to 3
inches long to the birds' feet to make fights bloodier. The birds are bred to
be aggressive and are pumped full of stimulants, such as strychnine and
testosterone, and blood-clotting drugs. They suffer hideous injuries, including
wings and legs slashed to shreds, punctured lungs, severed spinal cords, and
split eyes. They fight to the death.
~~ Cruelty to animals is linked to domestic violence, child abuse, and even more serious crimes against persons, including torture, murder, and serial killings, is now widely recognized by social scientists, psychologists, law enforcement personnel, members of the legal profession, the judiciary, and legislators. Further, The American Psychiatric Association identifies animal cruelty as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses reports of animal cruelty in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. I have observed that New Mexico's shame about continuing to sanction this nasty activity is apparent on its web sites. The race track, gaming, and tribal gambling require GAMING LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION; however, I could find no reference to cockfighting "enterprises." It appears that cockfighting is New Mexico's deep, dark, ugly secret. As you no doubt know, a great majority of New Mexico voters
oppose cockfighting and support banning it. Tradition is no excuse for
cruelty. The U.S. Congress passed legislation to ban the interstate transport
of roosters for cockfights that will go into effect in 2003. It should be
illegal in every state.
Please put an end to the brutal and senseless cruelty and
attendant criminality. I urge you to make sure there are serious consequences
for those who would subject living creatures to such unnecessary
brutality.
You might take advice from Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez,
who is quoted in the same article to have said:
''The idea of putting razor blades on the feet of these birds and allowing them to tear each other up is obscene.'' He is right. I won't again spend my tourist or business dollars in New Mexico until it stops the obscene cockfighting. There is nothing "enchanting" about animal cruelty. Sincerely,
Name/Country PETITIONS A shorter (3 minutes) video from this
investigation (NOT the full-length 15mn one presented next Wednesday in
Brussels) has just been released on-line : It's too barbaric to
imagine, but it happens everyday.Fishermen catch a shark, slice off its fins,
and cast it back into the water to bleed a slow, painful death. What'sworse,
this practice has accelerated in recent years, driven by increased demand for
shark fin soup in Asia,where it's considered a delicacy. But you can
help: Demand the Philippines Government enforce their Laws banning the eating of dogs http://www.gopetition.com/online/5543.html Stop the Slaughter of Saint Bernards and Other Dogs http://www.gopetition.com/online/5422.html These two petitions were previously hosted on a petition site that crashed, losing all the signatures. If you signed these before November 2004, please sign again. Save the Moon Bears http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/943423749
Our friend Claudia from Argentina sent us a Christmas poem concerning bulls.
El toro prays Let me lighten your burden,
You, Little, Weak Boy, You tiniest of tiniest, Because I am strong. Let me lighten your burden. Were you ever born You Innocent Boy? Or is it that we: The kitten abandoned The sick in the ward The forgotten,the hungry The wounded in wars, The sad,the alone- Or is it that I, A bull with a dagger Stuck into my spine In Spain anachronic- Or is it that we, The anguished, areYou? Are we born in your manger To carry your cross? Do we drag it together? Is it just only we? Was your life a " corrida"? Is my battle yours All over again? I was born in a stable I have carried a yoke Up my Golgotha hill And killing me now Is your own crown of thorns. Let me lighten your burden You Innocent Boy You,tiniest of tiniest And-if I am not strong- Will you lighten mine, You tiniest of tiny, You Little Strong Boy? Christmas, 2004
Disclaimer: All items published in this magazine were received by us and we pass them on in good faith. We are not responsible for incorrect email addresses, errors, omissions etc. by the originators.
INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS "http:" = "http://www.2kat.net/iwab">www.2kat.net/iwab
This Magazine published by Maria Lopes |
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