Merseyside Police stated that they have a “robust policing plan in place” and are collaborating with Aintree’s proprietors, The Jockey Club, to prepare for any potential incidents.
A lady was arrested after an animal rights group threatened to stop today’s Grand National.
The 33-year-old was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to cause a public nuisance about possible coordinated disruption activities at Aintree, according to the police.
This morning, the suspect from the Greater London area was apprehended in Greater Manchester.
Animal Rising activists planned to scale fences and storm the racecourse with up to 300 protestors.
Others intend to obstruct traffic by executing a slow march along the primary access route in front of Aintree Racecourse.
Merseyside Police had warned before the arrest that they had a “robust policing plan in place” and were collaborating with Aintree’s owners, The Jockey Club, to prepare for any incidents.
‘Horses will undoubtedly die’
Animal Rising had announced its intentions to disrupt the event beforehand.
Animal Rising, according to spokesman Nathan McGovern, intends to prevent the Grand National from even beginning.
Eclair Surf and Discorama died last year, so we know the race will kill horses. By calling off the entire race, people will endeavor to place themselves between the horses and harm.
The group cites statistics from Animal Aid campaigners indicating that a horse dies every two to three days in British racing, with Mr. McGovern adding, “We want to see an end to that.”
He added that activists will act before the race and not enter the track while horses and jockeys are riding.
Animal Rising spokesperson Claudia Penna Rojas stated that the protest would be “completely nonviolent.”
She stated that activists will demonstrate outside the racecourse before ‘peacefully’ entering the track.
The Foxhunters’ Chase on Thursday at 4 p.m. killed Envoye Special at the Grand National Festival.
It is the sixtieth horse to expire at Aintree in the past twenty-three years.
Animal Rising renamed itself this week to distinguish themselves from Extinction Rebellion.
Its intentions to target the Grand National were made public earlier this month when an undercover reporter attended a meeting.
The Mail on Sunday says that Aintree activists will use scaffolding and bolt cutters to break the outer barrier.
Mr. McGovern added, “It’s a spotlight that we need to use to spark a national discourse about our broken relationship not only with horses but with all the animals we use, including those for food, recreation, entertainment, and dog and horse racing.
“This is about recognizing that, as a nation of animal lovers, we’re not living up to our values through our actions.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police stated, “We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of opinion. But public order or criminal offenses will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely.”
Animal Rising was advised by Aintree Racecourse to “consider whether their proposed actions are legitimate and responsible.”
They added, “Their actions could endanger the horses they purport to protect, as well as jockeys, officials, and themselves.”
