May 18 2006 | |
By James Durkin | |
"ANIMAL rights protesters bared their souls and a few other things in a bid to put an end to the infamous Pamplona bull run in Spain. Activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) spent Tuesday lunchtime in Reading's Broad Street dressed in little more than red scarves and fake bullhorns. They were recruiting for the fifth annual Running of the Nudes - an event which precedes the historic Running of the Bulls and the bloody bullfights which follow. PETA campaign co-ordinator Lauren Bowey told The Chronicle: "Even in Spain and Portugal support for bullfighting is declining, but events are able to thrive through tourism. This is a message to these tourists to leave the bullfights and join us." PETA's first naked run in 2002 attracted just 20 brave participants. But this July's event will attract more than 1,000 runners from across the world to run the 900-yard course in the name of animal rights. The bull run during the week-long Fiesta de San Fermin still attracts worldwide interest and thousands are expected to flock to Pamplona to test their nerve. But Lauren, a 22-year-old Londoner, explained: "There is no real courage. This is a cowardly event. When the bulls get into the arena they will end up dead. "Before the run their necks are cut to immobilise them, and petroleum jelly is rubbed into their eyes so they cannot see properly." The sight of three semi-naked women accompanied by a pantomime bull soon grabbed the attention of shoppers. Bill Tamlyn, a 32-year-old builder from Wokingham Road, Reading, joked: "I wouldn't mind running if these girls were there. Compare them to a herd of bulls, and I know what most people would rather see." And Reading University student Sally Smith, 24, said: "I don't know if the nude run is for me, but it's good that people are supporting it." *Link www.runningofthenudes.com " Anyone got any pics of the cutie guys that run this marathon in aid of the bulls? I mean I know it's serious |
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