The Grand National is one of the UK’s most iconic horse races, attracting thousands of spectators and generating millions of pounds in revenue every year. However, this year’s event is facing a significant challenge from animal rights activists who are planning to disrupt the race due to concerns about equine welfare. The Animal Rights Coalition has stated that they will attempt to halt the Grand National from going ahead, leading to a number of arrests being made as tensions begin to rise. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the controversy surrounding the race and the efforts being made to ensure the safety of both horses and protesters alike.
Animal rights activists have been arrested for attempting to disrupt the Grand National horse racing event held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. Three people, one man and two women, were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to cause public nuisance. The Animal Rising activists had planned to scale fences and storm the track, with up to 300 protesters planning to attend. Merseyside Police has issued a statement noting the protests will be factored into policing plans, stating that criminal behaviour and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.
The Animal Rising group has been campaigning to end the use of animals in entertainment and racing. According to the group, horses die on an average of every two to three days in UK racing. It claims that if the race begins, then horses will likely die as Eclair Surf and Discorama did in 2022. The group has vowed to prevent the Grand National from proceeding, to put their bodies between horses and harm by calling off the entire race. The activists plan to act before the race starts, and will not enter the track if horses and jockeys are present.
During the Foxhunters’ Chase at the Grand National Festival, Envoye Special, a horse, fell and died of its injuries. This marks the 60th horse to have died at Aintree over the past 23 years. The Animal Rising group has been planning to target the Grand National race for some time, and its plans were made public when an undercover reporter attended a meeting earlier this month. According to reports, activists intend to use ladders and bolt cutters to breach the perimeter fencing at Aintree.
Animal Rising was formerly known as Animal Rebellion, but changed its name earlier this week to move away from the umbrella of Extinction Rebellion. Its spokesperson, Nathan McGovern, has stated that the group wants to use the Grand National’s spotlight to push a national conversation about society’s broken relationship not just with horses but with all animals used for entertainment, racing, and food. The activists intend to demonstrate outside the racecourse before “peacefully” making their way towards the track.
Merseyside Police has been working with The Jockey Club and other partners to keep people safe during the Grand National Festival. It has said it respects the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but public disorder or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly to ensure that people are safe. Meanwhile, an Aintree Racecourse representative has requested Animal Rising to “reflect on whether their proposed actions are legitimate and responsible” and emphasized that their actions could endanger the horses they purport to protect, as well as jockeys, officials, and themselves.
In conclusion, Animal Rising activists have been planning to disrupt the Grand National horse racing event held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. The group’s plans involve scaling fences and storming the track in an attempt to prevent the race from proceeding. Merseyside Police has issued a statement acknowledging the group’s plans, and it has put robust policing plans in place to ensure public safety. The Animal Rising group has been campaigning to end the use of animals in entertainment and racing, stressing the need for a more significant conversation around society’s broken relationship with animals. The Aintree Racecourse representative has urged Animal Rising to consider the legitimacy and responsibility of its actions and recognize that they could endanger the horses they purport to protect, as well as jockeys, officials, and themselves.
