Yzabelle Bostyn
BRITS have led protests today against Mijas’ infamous donkey taxis as they call for a boycott of the tourist ploy.
The protest follows an incident on Sunday, which saw a British tourist attacked by a donkey driver for attempting to film owners flouting wellbeing rules.
Ian Grace was punched repeatedly after live streaming donkey owners allegedly putting their animals to work despite extreme heat.
The 52-year-old led today’s protest alongside French-born activist Anne Blitz.
Over 100 people, many of them British expats, took part in the protest.
Ian started the proceedings with an impassioned speech.
He said: “I was flying back to the UK on Monday when I was assaulted by one of the donkey owners for filming illegal activity in contravention of the regulations.
“The donkeys should not have been going out in that searing heat. Thank you all so much for turning up.”
Mijas town hall recently created new rules stating donkeys and horses should not be put to work during orange or red heat alerts.
The Shrewsbury local then motioned behind him, where donkeys were being doused with cold water.
He said: “I’m pretty sure all this is for show… they’re sitting there with no morals, no compassion, no ethics whatsoever and sitting on their lazy arses.”
The protestors cheered in agreement and booed as horses’ carriages were brought into stables behind them.
Ian then invited other protesters to take the mic and many locals as well as expats came forward to speak.
One said: “I don’t understand why the donkeys are there, they are animals, they are sentient beings, there is absolutely no excuse for abusing the donkeys and keeping them out in the heat.”
It was hard for the crowd to hear their speeches as a counter protest had formed and was jeering to drown out the noise.
The protestors, many of them local Spaniards, wore ropes around their necks in solidarity with the animals.
Others held signs reading ‘boycott the donkeys’ and ‘end the cruelty’, showing the animals crying tears of blood.
Ian then led a chant of ‘all we are saying is give donkeys a chance’.
Many animal rights organisations were also present, including animal rights party, PACMA and Animalistas de Malaga.
According to the organiser and founder of ‘Free Mijas Donkeys and Horses’ protest group, Anne Blitz, many more were expected at the event but could not attend due to the lack of parking.
Many Guardia Civil agents were present, though they mostly surrounded the counter protestors.
