Every year, the streets of Pamplona, Spain, are stained red with the blood of terrified bulls. As part of the annual San Fermín festival, the bulls pursued through the city among a noisy, chaotic crowd – made up mostly of drunken tourists – at the infamous Running of the Bulls. The same animals – 48 of them – will later be stabbed to death in the city’s bullring.

But for the last 14 years, something else has also been happening in Pamplona every July. Kind people from every corner of Spain as well as from many other countries have been coming together to speak out against the cruelty and take part in a hard-hitting demonstration that makes headlines all around the world. In fact, heading to Pamplona to protest has become a tradition in itself, and it’s a compassionate alternative to the gruesome “festivities” later in the week.

This year, we were in Pamplona again with Spanish group AnimaNaturalis making some noise for animals.

More than 100 protesters lay in the street in front of the bullring, wearing little more than bodypaint, to create a “river of blood” to remind the world of how animals are massacred in the ring every year.

Watch this space for updates! And take action for bulls by signing our petition to the Mayor of Pamplona.

What’s New

These people are protesting the running of the bulls in Spain http://t.co/Zo3mEB1sVD pic.twitter.com/71nD1s29cU — Mashable (@mashable) July 7, 2015

What was this Co Kildare man doing stripping naked and taking part in a ‘river of blood’?: http://t.co/lrqtEl0sTZ pic.twitter.com/cdPa8XxIfz — TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) July 6, 2015

Animal rights activists cover themselves in blood red paint to protest Pamplona bull fighting http://t.co/kW124FiNq5 pic.twitter.com/zIrBXNSDBC — The Independent (@Independent) July 5, 2015

Eine deutsche und eine österreichische PETA-Unterstützerin demonstrieren heute vor der Stierkampfarena in Pamplona! pic.twitter.com/JFW0o9okKb — PETA Deutschland (@PETADeutschland) July 4, 2015

Une « rivière de sang » pour dénoncer le vrai bain de sang qui aura lieu cette semaine à la feria de #pamplona2015 pic.twitter.com/KdLLLMnkme — PETA France (@PETA_France) July 4, 2015

The signs say ‘Pamplona’s streets are stained with blood’ in 3 different languages #endbullfighting pic.twitter.com/FEhi5jJpCi — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

A ‘river of blood’ represents the bloodshed that will take place at the San Fermin festival this week #pamplona2015 pic.twitter.com/dOQoFVYMNL — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

Quite a crowd has gathered to watch the protest and show support http://t.co/ki6FKQTsUy 2015 pic.twitter.com/hAFXbZsIDU — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

HAPPENING NOW: 100+ activists are being covered in ‘blood’ for our #Pamplona2015 protest http://t.co/ga37lHvStN pic.twitter.com/7otwg3pQjd — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

[DIRECTO] Cada día que dure la fiesta morirán 6 toros en los festejos crueles de #SanFermin2015 @AnimaNaturalis pic.twitter.com/30tNeBfhG5 — AnimaNaturalis (@AnimaNaturalis) July 4, 2015

Amina from Denmark tells us why she’s come to Pamplona to protest against the cruel #RunningOfTheBulls today https://t.co/Mya7ign7fd — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

A reminder of why we’re here – this is what will happen to 48 bulls this week http://t.co/RiUalZCRnb #Pamplona2015 pic.twitter.com/XtJW3gJ6gd — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 4, 2015

This could be the vital first step towards abolishing the horrific Running of the Bulls. http://t.co/ki6FKQTsUy pic.twitter.com/z47oha2WNB — PETA UK (@PETAUK) July 2, 2015

Highlights From Previous Years’ Protests

See more here.