I think Waterstones are wrong bowing to this pressure. It stops freedom of speech and an individuals right. Thanks to the MEN for highlighting the story.
SALFORD bullfighter Frank Evans has criticised animal rights campaigners after Waterstone's cancelled all promotion of his autobiography following what he says were threats.
The 67-year-old was due to attend book signings at Waterstone's in Liverpool and Manchester on September 16, with tickets costing £3.
The firm received letters which said the events would glamorise the "cruel, violent spectacle" of bullfighting. Mr Evans said the store's staff also received threats because of his planned appearances.
The bullfighter, who is known as "El Ingles" in the ring, said: "There are a minority of people who are violently opposed to what I do.
"I do not want the store's staff to be in danger so it is not Waterstone's I am angry at.
"These extremists are quite sinister and are trying to suppress literature. We have a democracy and this is almost like the Nazis burning books."
His autobiography The Last British Bullfighter chronicles his four decades in the bull ring.
It details his recent comeback four years after he retired on doctor's orders, due to a quadruple heart bypass and replacement knee surgery.
A spokesman for Waterstone's said: "In the best interests of our customers and staff, Waterstone's decided to cancel the two Last British Bullfighter events.
"No further events related to the book are planned and full refunds will be given."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta), the Born Free Foundation and the League Against Cruel Sports were among the animal rights groups which wrote to the book firm.
Peta spokeswoman Poorva Joshipura had contacted the company's events organiser saying bullfighting is "a cruel, violent spectacle that is illegal in the UK."
On hearing the decision to cancel the signings, she said: "Bravo to Waterstone's for distancing itself from the sadistic cruelty and gore of bullfighting.
"There is nothing brave or admirable about anyone who participates in or pays to watch a violent spectacle in which the bull always loses."
Mr Evans, a grandfather-of-five, killed two half-ton bulls and won a standing ovation on his comeback in Benalmadena, Spain on August 30.
He has received several death threats from animal activists, and a post office intercepted a letter bomb with his name on it several years ago, he added.
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Waterstone's did not cancel Mr. Evan's book signing sessions because of the threats, but because 'normal' animal protection organizations such as CAS International and PETA wrote very polite letters to the store, asking them not to promote a man who enjoys torturing and killing defenceless animals. Mr. Evans just cannot stand the fact that people can have very good reasons to be against bullfighting and that Waterstone's listens to these reasons and therefore does not give him a platform to promote his bloody hobby. The fact that he enjoys torturing bulls does not mean that others have to as well. With regards, Saskia Oskam, the Netherlands
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