Lanzarote En Pie (LEP) has expressed its "outright" rejection of the motion that the Partido Popular will present in the next Plenary Session of the Arrecife City Council to recognize bullfighting as an intangible cultural heritage.
From LEP, they maintain that "this initiative is not only foreign to the cultural identity of Arrecife, but seeks to wave ideological flags that have nothing to do with the real problems of the citizens."
They have also made it clear that they are opposed "to all forms of animal abuse, and even more so to its legitimization by institutions as a form of culture."
In this regard, Leticia Padilla, the party's island coordinator, stated that "to pretend that the city of Arrecife recognizes animal torture as intangible cultural heritage is a lack of respect for the local identity and for citizens who are sensitive to animal suffering."
Likewise, the municipal organization denounces "the purely partisan use" that the PP makes of this motion, "using it as an ideological maneuver to wave flags that have nothing to do with the real problems of Arrecife."
"While the city faces real problems such as housing, public transportation, or the neglect of neighborhoods, the PP chooses to reopen a debate that the Canarian society has already overcome and that contributes nothing to municipal life," Leticia Padilla has stated.
On the other hand, the organization reminds the Popular Party of Arrecife that Law 8/1991, on the protection of animals in the Canary Islands, explicitly prohibits the use of animals in shows that involve mistreatment, cruelty, or suffering.
"The PP's proposal contradicts the spirit and the letter of this legislation, which has been one of the pioneers in the country in the defense of animal rights. Bullfighting is not part of the heritage or the cultural imagination of the Canary Islands," Leticia Padilla stressed.To conclude, Lanzarote En Pie reaffirms its commitment to defending animal rights, and calls on municipal political groups committed to animal welfare and Canarian identity to request the withdrawal of the motion.