Running of the Nudes

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2003 “Running of the Nudes” Is Runaway Success
The recent second annual “Running of the Nudes” in Pamplona, Spain, was an overwhelming and inspiring success. More than 150 participants from all over the world who stripped to their skivvies—and beyond—drew massive international media attention that raised eyebrows and reached countless hearts everywhere.

From the Scene
The mob of naked and semi-naked runners gathered at the corrals, ready to run the course, armed with banners, signs, and messages painted on their torsos in languages from their native countries. Despite a police blockade, the runners sprinted into action, chanting, “Stop the bloody bullfights,” as mobs of spectators watched from above. The peaceful yet powerful demonstration ended with a rousing speech, both in Spanish and English, by PETA’s campaign coordinator William Rivas-Rivas, who thanked runners for traveling to Pamplona and congratulated them for successfully telling the world that the torture of bulls will not be tolerated and that caring, daring, and baring individuals will be back every year until the bulls are left out of the annual festivities.

Click here to view images from the 2003 “Running of the Nudes”

2002 A New Tradition Hits Pamplona
The first annual running of the nudes brought a new cruelty-free day of excitement to Pamplona when 25 mostly naked runners ran the traditional bull course. A mass of locals and tourists gathered around to watch as the runners hit the streets to spread the message to the world that a new tradition was underway!

Click here to view images from the 2002 “Running of the Nudes”

Diane bares all for the bulls

Campaigner Diane Sanderson made the ultimate sacrifice for animal cruelty yesterday when she braved the streets of Spain wearing nothing but a red scarf.

The 35-year-old was one of more than 300 of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) supporters who took part in the human stampede through the cobbled streets of the city of Pamplona - just days before the famous Running of the Bulls event.

The protest was the latest in a long-running campaign by PETA to replace the traditional bull run with a human race to avoid injuries to the animals.

Diane, of Jesmond, Newcastle, last night said: "The Running of the Bulls is tourist driven, yet most visitors haven't a clue about the cruelty the bulls are subjected to before, during and after the run.

"Electric-shock prods are used to torment the bulls into a stampede. As the animals flee they suffer bruises, cuts and broken bones.

"The run was fantastic and I think it would have really helped to raise the issue of animal cruelty. The atmosphere was tremendous and it was a really noisy protest with Spaniards lining the streets and cheering. We really received a lot of publicity this year so hopefully it will go a long way and help convince people to put an end to the event."

Authorities in Barcelona recently voted to ban bullfighting in the city after receiving floods of complaints from animal rights activists.

PETA campaigners have written to the mayor of Pamplona asking for the Running of the Bulls to be replaced with the nude Human Race, but are still awaiting a response.

Care worker and law graduate Diane played a role in long-running protests at a former mink farm near Ponteland and co-founded a Save our Pigeons campaign in the North-East. PETA director Dawn Carr said research showed up to 90pc of tourists who attended bullfights never returned.

She said: "We hope PETA's idea for a Human Race will eventually end the bull run.

"If tourists knew how much these animals suffer for this spectacle, they would pack their bags."

Footage of the Human Race will soon be available at www.runningof thenudes.com

The Facts

More than 40,000 bulls are barbarically slaughtered in rings in Spain each year, according to The New York Times, but most Spaniards would like bullfights sent to the dustbin of history. A 2002 Gallup pole indicates that 69 percent of Spanish show no interest in bullfighting. Tourists who are unaware of the cruelty keep bullfights alive, even though it’s common for tourists to leave their first bullfight before it’s over. Many young Spaniards and Mexicans think of this crude sport as an embarrassing old occupation of their grandfathers’ impoverished times.

Bullfighting has nothing to do with “culture.” It is a cruel bloodsport in which the bulls don’t stand a chance. According to the Associated Press, a recent study found that 20 percent of bulls are fed laxatives and drugged before they step into the ring. In a study conducted by scientists at Spain’s Salamanca University, 20 percent of 200 bulls had been given anti-inflammatory drugs, which “can camouflage certain injuries,” before the fight even started. The bull’s horns are shaved and petroleum jelly may be smeared into his eyes to cloud his vision. Before the matador even enters the ring, a picador stabs and cuts the muscles in his neck.

The Running of the Bulls and the bullfight are defended as “traditions,” but people have always tried to use tradition to justify continuing abuse—even child labor and slavery. Bad traditions should end, just as the Spanish tradition of flinging a live goat from a tower in the name of a saint each year was banned.

Portuguese, or so-called “bloodless,” bullfights, legal in some states, are not good alternatives, even though the bull is not killed in the ring. Matadors tease and torment the frightened animals, jabbing at them with sticks.