Lynn Hildebrand maintains a strong community presence and volunteers with the First Congregational Church in Corona, California. Concerned about pervasive links between human violence and animal abuse, Lynn Hildebrand also teaches humane education with the Humane Society of San Bernardino Valley. Popularized in American literature by Ernest Hemingway, one of the controversial traditions of Spain’s Basque country is the running of the bulls, which centers on the Festival of St. Fermin in Pamplona. Each day over nine days, bulls destined to be killed in the bullfighting ring are first run through the streets, with young men traditionally testing their virility by running in front of the stampeding bulls. This year’s running of the bulls was particularly violent, with 12 human participants gored, a record over the past decade. In addition, a torero was fatally gored in the ring, the first such death of a professional bullfighter in more than three decades. At the same time, the scourge of sexual assault has hung heavy over the festival, with the 2016 even bringing about a record 16 arrests of men for unwanted advances, including an attempted rape. Pamplona’s city council has been proactive in trying to change the image of the event, but faces an uphill battle, given what many consider the essentially inhumane nature of bullfighting itself. The animal rights community has not been inactive. Since 2002, PETA has held annual protests at the event, and there have been recent calls for a complete ban on bullfighting.
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AuthorIn addition to her work with the HSSBV, Lynn Hildebrand maintains an active involvement with the First Congregational Church of Corona, California. As a member of the congregation for over 50 years, she has taught Sunday school, led the children’s choir, and served on the Christian Education and Mission Boards. Archives
February 2018
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