The animal rights organization AnimaNaturalis organized a demonstration in Barcelona's Plaça Sant Jaume to demand regulation of firework noise during the Sant Joan celebration. The protesters, numbering around thirty according to the organization, called for measures to prevent suffering among domestic and wild animals, as well as vulnerable groups such as autistic individuals or those with acoustic hypersensitivity.
Under slogans like "No to fireworks" or "Less noise, more empathy," participants urged the Barcelona City Council to establish detonation-free zones or promote alternatives such as drone shows, laser light, or low-acoustic-impact fireworks.
AnimaNaturalis reports that the "massive and uncontrolled" use of fireworks causes documented negative impacts on fauna and sensitive individuals each year. According to the entity, fireworks can exceed 150 decibels, a level far above the 90-decibel threshold that can cause permanent hearing damage.
“"For animals, loud noises are signals of danger and stress. No celebration should be marred by anyone's suffering."
The sound intensity of fireworks, the organization states, causes tremors, tachycardia, escape attempts with risk of accidents in animals, and in wild birds, nest abandonment and collision deaths.
