Animal Defenders Cleared After Judge Agrees Bullfighting Is NOT a Sport
They were handcuffed for standing up for bulls. Today, they walked free. In a major win for the movement to end bullfighting, a judge just acquitted French influencer Jeremstar and four other PETA supporters, after facing charges over their bold protest inside Nîmes’ arena.
The judge ruled that the law used to prosecute the protestors simply didn’t apply—because bullfighting is not legally recognized as a sport.
What began as a powerful demonstration has now transformed into a major triumph for bull defenders everywhere—and a direct challenge to a bloody, violent “tradition.”
Why This Acquittal Matters
The case against Jeremstar and the other bull advocates stemmed from their dramatic intervention inside the Nîmes arena during the Feria des Vendanges in September 2025. Moments after a bullfighter killed a bull, the influencer jumped into the ring holding a sign denouncing bullfighting, while two fellow advocates leaped in with him—and one even broke both his feet when he landed—to draw security’s attention and give Jeremstar a better chance of reaching the center of the arena.
Prosecutors accused them of unlawfully entering a sports arena, a charge their legal team immediately challenged.
Their argument was simple and powerful: Bullfighting is not a sport, and therefore, the law used to prosecute them did not apply.
The judge agreed, ruling that the Nîmes arena cannot be considered a sporting venue during a bullfight. With that, the charges collapsed.
This ruling doesn’t just clear their names, it sends a message: Speaking up for our fellow animals is not and should not be considered a crime.
Mass Support for the Animal Defenders
Public support for the case echoed the growing movement against bullfighting across France. As the trial unfolded, hundreds of people filled the streets outside the courthouse, transforming the area into a sea of banners, chants, and unwavering solidarity. Supporters shouted “Basta corrida!” as they rallied behind the advocates, making it clear that the call to end bullfighting is a powerful, collective force.
When the acquittal was announced, the crowd surged again, this time in celebration. Demonstrators held up PETA signs reading “Abolish bullfighting!” in the city’s historic center.
“Tomorrow, the bulls must be freed”
Following the acquittal, Jeremstar expressed relief and renewed determination:
“Today, we were acquitted. Tomorrow, it’s the bulls who must finally be freed from this institutionalized violence,” he said. “It’s a real scandal that bullfighting—where innocent beings are tortured and slaughtered for entertainment—still exists in 2026.”
The Reality of Bullfighting
Bulls don’t exist for humans to terrorize in the name of “tradition” or for any other reason. During a typical bullfight, bullfighters torment, provoke, and repeatedly stab these individuals until they are too weakened from blood loss to defend themselves. The matador then enters the ring to attempt to kill the bull with a sword. If this fails—and it often does—the bull is alive but paralyzed as workers drag him from the arena. Most bullfights end in a slow, excruciating death for someone who never chose to be there.
Take Action
Thanks in large part to PETA entities’ relentless work across the globe, from celebrity‑powered campaigns with stars like Kate del Castillo to head‑turning demonstrations, public support for bullfighting is on a steady decline. More people than ever agree: Bullfighting is torture, not culture.
More than 125 cities in Spain have already banned bullfighting. Multiple Mexican states have imposed restrictions or outright bans. And in a historic milestone, Colombia passed a nationwide ban.
The momentum is real. The pressure is working. And this acquittal adds yet another powerful push toward a future where no one torments bulls for “entertainment.”
Now is the moment to act. Help bulls today!
