[ad_1]
Merseyside Police said they had a “strong policing plan in place” and were working with the owners of Aintree’s The Jockey Club in preparation for any incidents.
By Connor Sephton, news reporter @ConnorSephton
Saturday, April 15, 2023 10:36, United Kingdom
A woman has been arrested after an animal rights group said it would try to stop the Grand National from going ahead this afternoon.
Police said the 33-year-old was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance in connection with possible coordinated disruption activities in Aintree.
The suspect, from the London area, was arrested in Greater Manchester this morning.
It comes after Animal Rising activists said they were planning to climb fences and storm the track, where up to 300 demonstrators plan to attend.
Others plan to block traffic by making a slow walk along the main access road outside Aintree Racecourse.
Prior to the arrest, Merseyside Police had warned that they had a “strong policing plan in place” and were working with Aintree’s owners, The Jockey Club, to prepare for any incidents.
Horses are likely to die
Animal Rising revealed its plans to disrupt the event in advance.
“Animal Rising intends to make sure the Grand National doesn’t even start,” said company spokesperson Nathan McGovern.
“We know that if the race does start, the horses are more likely to die as Eclair Surf and Discorama did last year. People will try to put their bodies between the horses and the hurt by canceling the entire race.”
The group cites figures from Animal Aid campaigners that a horse dies every two to three days in UK racing, and McGovern added: “We want to see an end to that.”
He emphasized that activists plan to move before the race starts, and will not enter the track if horses and riders are riding.
Speaking live from Aintree Racecourse on Sky News Breakfast, Animal Rising spokeswoman Claudia Pena Rojas reiterated that it would be a “completely non-violent” protest.
She said the activists would demonstrate outside the racetrack before making their way “peacefully” to the track.
Read more: Opinion – ‘I loved the Grand National until I saw what I saw’ The main riders and contenders who should follow suit in today’s race
One horse has already died at the Grand National Festival — the Envoye Special — after falling into the Foxhunters’ chase shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday.
He is the 60th horse to have died at Aintree in the past 23 years.
Animal Rising was previously known as Animal Rebellion, but changed its name earlier this week in order to move away from the Extinction Rebellion umbrella.
Plans to target the Grand National were announced when an undercover reporter attended a meeting earlier this month.
According to The Mail on Sunday, activists intend to use ladders and bolt cutters to cross the perimeter fence at Aintree.
Mr McGovern added: “It’s a spotlight we really need to use to drive a national conversation about our broken relationship, not just with horses but with all the animals we use, whether that be for food, pleasure and entertainment, dogs and horse racing.
“It’s a lot more about realizing that we, in a nation of animal lovers, don’t really live up to those values through our actions.”
This is a limited edition version of the story, so unfortunately this content is not available. Unlock the full version
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “We respect the right to peaceful protest and express opinions, however public order or criminal offenses will not be tolerated and will be dealt with firmly.”
Meanwhile, the representative of Aintree Racecourse urged Animal Rising to “consider whether their proposed actions are legitimate and responsible”.
They added, “Their actions could endanger the horses they claim to be protecting, as well as the riders, officials and themselves.”
|
Sources 2/ https://news.sky.com/story/amp/grand-national-animal-rising-protesters-say-theyll-try-to-stop-race-from-going-ahead-12857531 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
[ad_2]