In Photos: ‘Slaves To Our Tradition’ – Activists Close Mdina Bridge To Protest Against Karozzini
“It’s not entertainment – it’s slavery”
This was the shout of activists from @animalliberationm this weekend when they closed the Mdina Bridge to protest against karozzin, calling out “slaves to our tradition” 👀
“As an animal rights group, Animal Liberation Malta is in principle against karozzini as it is a form of animal exploitation,” a statement issued today by the organisation read. “Additionally given that we live in a fully motorised world there is no need or
function for them. Karozzini today only serve as a tourist attraction.”
During the protest on Saturday, activists wore makeshift blinders that resembled the ones used in the traditional horse-drawn carriages, holding up a number of banners that called out the conditions the animals are put through in what they called blatant animal cruelty.
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“Mediterranean cities, also heavily dependent on tourism like Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca are taking bold steps on horse drawn carriages,” the statement continued. “The Spanish city council of Palma de Mallorca has announced a ban on horse draw carriages as from 2024. Their intention is that all horse drawn carriages will be replaced with electric carriages. Animal Liberation Malta has been advocating this option now for quite some time. We believe that the transition to electric would be an ideal solution for Malta.”
“Apart from the transition to electrification, we also propose that no new licences for cabby drivers should be issued,” one ALM activist added. “Furthermore, a grandfather clause should be triggered whereby existing horses will be allowed to continue working, yet upon retiring the cabby owner cannot replace the horse with a new horse but rather go to an electric option.”
Karozzini have long been the target of animal activists, with regular protests and law changes shifting the narrative over the years.
Earlier this year, ALM protestors took to the main entrance of Valletta, walking all the way up to Castille Square, demanding the end of the tradition and offering the same solutions which they brought up this weekend.
Back in 2019, a new rule had come into effect banning the use of the horse-drawn carriages between 1pm and 4pm from 1st July to 31st August.
The rule came after a horrific incident in 2018 when a karozzin horse died from an apparent heart attack, with then Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Clint Camilleri speaking out after Gringu, an 11-year-old male horse, collapsed and died in the middle of Triq San Franġisk, Floriana, near Boffa Hospital.
Still, many animal lovers and activists alike believe the new regulation is not enough, with this weekend’s protest instead calling out for a flat-out ban of the popular tradition.
Do you agree with the activists’ points?
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