A judge has allowed a temporary suspension of bullfighting in Mexico City to continue while a lawsuit challenging its legality progresses.
why is it important: Mexico City is home to the largest bullfighting arena in the world, Plaza México, which can hold 50,000 people.
Drive the news: The judge’s decision was made public on Tuesday.
- He first suspended all bullfights for the month of June in Plaza México after the organization Justicia Junta sued, arguing that the bullfight violates local animal protection laws.
- Now, this stay will extend beyond June.
Supporters say ban tradition would be a “violation and unilateral attack on the human right to enjoy culture”.
- They say a ban threatens the socio-economic apparatus built around bullfighting, from ranchers to vendors near Plaza México.
- Plaza México counter-suits, arguing that the judge did not have the power to stop the bullfight.
Rollback: The Spaniards introduced bullfighting to Mexico around 1562, and it’s a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
- But five Latin American countries have banned it amid growing animal rights concerns.
- Five Mexican states have already banned bullfighting: Sinaloa, Sonora, Coahuila, Guerrero and Quintana Roo.
- A bill to permanently ban bullfighting was passed in February in Mexico City. A full vote has not yet been scheduled.
