NewsSportsTop StoryWorld

100 arrested as activists delay Grand National

Animal rights activists who delayed the Grand National after storming the Aintree racecourse have been accused of using “hypocritical” tactics for a “publicity stunt” which endangered the horses’ welfare. Dozens of protesters from Animal Rising, previously named Animal Rebellion, scaled perimeter fences using ladders and rushed onto the course in Merseyside on Saturday. Trainers and jockeys accused the group of carrying out the stunt “for themselves and not the horses”. The Associated Press has the story:

100 arrested as activists delay Grand National

Newslooks- Liverpool, England (AP)

The Grand National, one of the world’s most famous horse races, was delayed Saturday after animal rights activists scaled fences around the perimeter of Aintree racecourse and got onto the track.

A total of 118 people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and public nuisance offenses in a bid to disrupt the race, Merseyside Police said.

Members of the police forces remove a protester before the start of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The iconic Grand National race which is run over fences is 4 miles, 2 ½ furlongs has its origins in the 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

Many activists from an estimated group of 300 climbed the high fences around the racecourse just outside Liverpool and got onto the track a few minutes before the race was scheduled to start. Some affixed themselves to the race fences using glue and lock-on devices, according to the Animal Rising organization, before being taken away by police and security officials.

Animal Rising activists protest outside the gates ahead of day three of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, in Liverpool, England, Saturday April 15, 2023. (Peter Byrne/via AP)

Police and security officials were seen stopping other activists by shaking the perimeter fences to prevent them being climbed. Local residents were seen helping security keep activists away from the course

The race was delayed as a result and the 39 competing horses were kept in the parade ring. It was originally scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. local time (1615 GMT) and ended up starting around 15 minutes later.

Members of the police detain protesters as activists tried to block the start of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The iconic Grand National race which is run over fences is 4 miles, 2 ½ furlongs has its origins in the 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

The day started with three people arrested in connection with a plan by the activists to disrupt the race. All three were arrested on “suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance,” police said. Their names were not disclosed.

“We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views,” Merseyside Police said, “but criminal behavior and disorder will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”

Members of the police forces remove protesters as they tried to block the start of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 15, 2023. The iconic Grand National race which is run over fences is 4 miles, 2 ½ furlongs has its origins in the 1839 Grand Liverpool Steeplechase.(AP Photo/Jon Super)

Animal Rising had called on protesters to gather outside the racecourse to demand an end to “animal cruelty for entertainment.” The group tweeted a video that it said shows one of its spokespeople being arrested at the protest.

Police said they have been working with race organizers ahead of and during the Grand National Festival, which started Thursday.

Animal Rising activist Alex Lockwood this week told British radio station talkSPORT that they planned to disrupt the Grand National, arguing that standing outside and handing out fliers “never stopped anything.”

Police officers respond to Animal Rising activists attempting to invade the race course ahead of the Randox Grand National Handicap Chase during day three of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England, Saturday April 15, 2023. A report said protesters planned to form a human barricade across the track at Aintree after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters. (Peter Byrne/via AP)

Further inflaming matters was the news that two horses — Dark Raven and Hill Sixteen — died in races at Aintree on Saturday. Hill Sixteen was in the field for the Grand National and died after sustaining an “unrecoverable injury,” organizers said.

On Thursday, another horse — Envoye Special — suffered a fatal injury in the Foxhunters’ Chase, which is run over the fences used for the Grand National.

“This horrific ‘sport’ continues to take lives right in front of our eyes. It’s time to BAN this horrific industry,” Animal Rising wrote Saturday.

Police stand guard around the perimiter of the course after threats of disruption by animal rights activists before the Grand National horse race in Liverpool, England, Saturday, April 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

The Grand National is among the biggest occasions on the British sporting calendar and is regarded as one of the most dangerous horse races in the world because of the size of the fences.

Changes were made in 2012 to make the course safer, including softening some of the fences, after two horses died in the Grand National that year and in 2011.

There have been four fatalities from 356 runners in the nine Grand Nationals since. Four horses died at the Aintree festival last year, including two who were injured in the Grand National.

Read more sports news

Previous Article
Germany’s last nuclear plants in final hours
Next Article
Haaland ties most goals record in EPL 38-game

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu