One step forward -Portugal is calling for new animal rights law

This legal campaign aims to, amongst other things, change the legal status of animals – who continue to be seen as “things” in the eyes of the law.  It also calls for a ban on bullfighting and on the use of animals in circuses, to criminalize mistreatment and cruelty to animals. At the end of 2010, ANIMAL released the first part of their campaign as a “Citizen’s Legal Initiative” – a legal tool (similar to, but stronger than, a petition) that all Portuguese citizens can use to propose their own law to be discussed in Parliament. After intensely lobbying for this new law, ANIMAL releases now the second phase of the campaign – the video “One Step Forward”, where many Portuguese celebrities support this Legal-Project for a New Animal Protection Law in Portugal.

There was also a big march on the streets of Lisbon in support of the campaign, on the 14th of April, where more than 1,500 pointed out the necessity of more legal protection for animals. More than 15 different animal protection groups joined ANIMAL from all over the country, and other international groups were also there. The march started in front of the capital’s bullring, where weekly demonstrations against bullfighting take place, and ended in front of the Parliament with a silent vigil. The video “One Step Forward” was then projected.