Activists use red paint to protest Pamplona bullfighting

Animal‑rights activists staged a visual protest in Pamplona on Monday, covering themselves in red paint to symbolize blood before the start of the San Fermin Festival. The demonstration took place near the city’s historic bullring, where the opening bullfight is traditionally held, and was intended to draw attention to the activists’ demand for an end to the centuries‑old bullfighting practice.

Organizers of the protest, representing several animal‑welfare groups, positioned themselves in the crowd as the festival’s opening ceremony began, chanting slogans and distributing flyers that called for legislative bans on bullfighting. Local police monitored the event, reported no arrests, and allowed the demonstration to proceed without disrupting the scheduled performances. The San Fermin organizers reiterated their commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of the festival, while city officials noted that the protest reflects a growing public debate over the future of bullfighting in Spain.