COLOMBIA: Colombian students take off their shirts and paint their bodies red and black to protest bullfighting, a popular sport in the South American nation.

Record ID: 375548

  • Title: COLOMBIA: Colombian students take off their shirts and paint their bodies red and black to protest bullfighting, a popular sport in the South American nation.
  • Date: 10th February 2012
  • Summary: BOGOTA. COLOMBIA (FEBRUARY 09, 2012) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF PLAZA BOLIVAR WHILE THE PROTESTERS GET READY
  • Embargoed: 25th February 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Colombia, Colombia
  • Country: Colombia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAANPF541VHQ6E5DOZQQJYNFVF
  • Story Text: Colombian university students went topless on Thursday (February 9) to show their opposition to bullfighting, a traditional pastime in the South American country.
    Dozens of young men and women in the capital city of Bogota took off their shirts and painted their bodies in red and black, alluding to the culmination of the bullfight where red blood pours over the black bull.
    "Today we are gathered here to make the outline of a bull with approximately 200 semi-naked people and covered with paint. Through this protest, we are also asking for the abolition of the bullfights and to initiate a popular referendum so that the people can express their disagreement with these kinds of shows," said organizer Ana Milena Cuitiva.
    The rally is one of an increasing number by animal rights activists against the bloody sport.
    Bullfighting was brought to Colombia by the Spanish conquistadors but has become an integral part of local culture.
    There are dozens of bullfighting rings in the country and at least eight schools.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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