UK
Grand National to allow protests despite Animal Rebellion threat to block race course
Will Bolton
Sun, 2 April 2023
Aintree Animal Rebellion - PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters will be allowed at the Grand National despite a plot by Animal Rebellion activists to glue themselves together and block the race course.
Merseyside Police said that it “respected the right to peaceful protest”, but warned any criminal actions threatening the event would be dealt with “robustly”.
Members of Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, plan to form a human barricade across the course at Aintree, Merseyside, after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters, according to reports.
The group has vowed the uncovering of the plan by the Mail on Sunday will not prevent them going ahead with the action at the Grand National, and causing further disruption throughout the summer.
Merseyside Police has been given a dossier of evidence obtained by an undercover reporter at the newspaper posing as a member of the group.
The Countryside Alliance warned the activists’ “increasingly irrational and confrontational” tactics could put spectators at risk.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, a spokesman for the group said: “While small in numbers, Animal Rebellion’s pattern of increasingly irrational and confrontational behaviour must serve as a red flag to Merseyside Police, who should exercise a zero tolerance approach towards any behaviour which threatens the welfare of attendees, riders and horses.”
The Jockey Club, which owns Aintree racecourse, declined to comment on the security arrangements it had in place.
Merseyside Police did not confirm whether it was aware of the activists' plans before the Mail on Sunday investigation.
A spokesman for the force said: “Merseyside Police has a robust policing plan in place for Aintree, as it does for any major public event, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
“We have been working with our partners, including The Jockey Club, for a number of months in the build-up to this year’s festival to ensure that any necessary plans and processes are in place to deal with any incidents that may arise and to prevent any significant or ongoing disruption to racegoers and local residents and businesses.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”
A post on Animal Rebellion’s website branded this year’s race “The Last Grand National” and said it needed donations from supporters to “make this action happen”.
Will Bolton
Sun, 2 April 2023
Aintree Animal Rebellion - PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters will be allowed at the Grand National despite a plot by Animal Rebellion activists to glue themselves together and block the race course.
Merseyside Police said that it “respected the right to peaceful protest”, but warned any criminal actions threatening the event would be dealt with “robustly”.
Members of Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, plan to form a human barricade across the course at Aintree, Merseyside, after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters, according to reports.
The group has vowed the uncovering of the plan by the Mail on Sunday will not prevent them going ahead with the action at the Grand National, and causing further disruption throughout the summer.
Merseyside Police has been given a dossier of evidence obtained by an undercover reporter at the newspaper posing as a member of the group.
The Countryside Alliance warned the activists’ “increasingly irrational and confrontational” tactics could put spectators at risk.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, a spokesman for the group said: “While small in numbers, Animal Rebellion’s pattern of increasingly irrational and confrontational behaviour must serve as a red flag to Merseyside Police, who should exercise a zero tolerance approach towards any behaviour which threatens the welfare of attendees, riders and horses.”
The Jockey Club, which owns Aintree racecourse, declined to comment on the security arrangements it had in place.
Merseyside Police did not confirm whether it was aware of the activists' plans before the Mail on Sunday investigation.
A spokesman for the force said: “Merseyside Police has a robust policing plan in place for Aintree, as it does for any major public event, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
“We have been working with our partners, including The Jockey Club, for a number of months in the build-up to this year’s festival to ensure that any necessary plans and processes are in place to deal with any incidents that may arise and to prevent any significant or ongoing disruption to racegoers and local residents and businesses.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”
A post on Animal Rebellion’s website branded this year’s race “The Last Grand National” and said it needed donations from supporters to “make this action happen”.
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