EXCLUSIVE by LEO OLIVERO
In an exclusive interview with Panorama, one of the main protagonists and organiser of Wednesday's bullfighting demonstration, Kenneth Trinidad, is clear about the reasons behind the planned protest, "and for this reason we are totally against the holding of these bullfighting conferences by the Cervantes Institute."
INSULT
Mr. Trinidad said this is a peaceful expression by people who feel indignant that bringing a series of conferences to Gibraltar to discuss bullfighting - where strict laws exist that strongly prohibit any form of cruelty to any animal - 'is not only an insult, but goes against the culture everyone enjoys and respects on the Rock'.
He went on to say that it is patently apparent what bullfighting is all about, just by watching a bullfight (for those that do) on the TV is proof enough of this cruel pastime without the need to bring a series of talks or conferences to Gibraltar!
Mr Trinidad went on to say that most people involved in this upcoming protest are of the view that, as a democracy, the same right that others have regarding 'freedom of expression' as in the proposed conference, those people who are against the conference equally have a right themselves to publicly voice their opposition.
Mr Trinidad also said that along with others who think that doing nothing or remaining silent would indicate an approval or acceptance, "we intend to demonstrate on Wednesday and also on the dates to coincide we the other two conferences planned."
Another important point raised by Mr Trinidad, and one he also wanted to make clear, was that those people who have signified their intention of attending the demonstration together with many more who have expressed vocal and other support, come from a wide cross-section of the community and from all political persuasions in Gibraltar.
He could not understand why the decision to hold 'Three Bullfighting
Conferences'... Was one talk not enough, he complained.
There was also some surprise and disappointment from Mr. Trinidad when he mentioned that although there had been wide-ranging support
from all quarters around Gibraltar, including the Government which had last week publicly condemned bullfighting and appeared not to be overjoyed by the staging of these conferences, the one organisation that you would have expected to be extremely vocal on the fundamental issue of animal cruelty is the 'Gibraltar Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals'... who have remained silent throughout.
Mr. Trinidad reiterated that the proposed demonstration against the holding of these bullfighting conferences was mainly driven by animal cruelty which he is totally against!
He said 'Not only the laws of Gibraltar strictly prohibit animal cruelty... But unlike Spain bullfighting is entirely contrary to the culture that the people of Gibraltar enjoy and one we have practised for countless years.'
WEDNESDAY'S PROTEST
The organisers of the demonstration are asking those people attending the protest to gather at the Piazza at 6.15pm on Wednesday 16 May from where they will make the short walk down to Market Lane and position themselves in a non-obstructive manner outside the Cervantes Institute.
14-05-12
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