118 activists arrested during a protest at the Grand National horse race in England

LIVERPOOL (UNITED KINGDOM), 15 Apr. (EUROPE PRESS) –

The British Police have arrested 118 activists during a protest against the most important equestrian competition in England, the Grand National, held this Saturday in Liverpool.

Activists have climbed over the fences at Aintree Racecourse and at least two of them have used an adhesive and fasteners to stick to one of the jumps on the circuit, the environmental group Animal Rising has explained.

The action has caused a twelve-minute delay in the start of the test, in which one of the horses died after falling at the first fence. Two more animals have died during the three-day festival whose main event is Saturday’s race, backing criticism from activists.

“We respect the right to peaceful protest and the expression of different opinions, but we cannot tolerate criminal behavior or disorderly behavior and will respond strongly,” Merseyside Police have warned.

The chief deputy commissioner, Paul White, has acknowledged that there has been “a major protest” at the Grand National. “It started in the morning, when several protesters gathered in front of the racetrack. At 5:00 p.m. a large group tried to break into the course, for which we have prevented it with the help of the organization and some spectators,” he said. .

White has explained that the activists have tried to enter from different places. “The perimeter of the route is between four and five kilometres, so a lot of resources are needed to cover all the areas,” she said. “They have been expelled with the help of the organizers, private security and agents,” she stressed.

One of the activists, Sarah McCaffrey, has denounced that “whether for food or for fun, the use we make of animals and nature is an example of a relationship that is much more than broken.” “We are a nation that loves animals, but the daily pain of these beautiful creatures does not do us justice. We have to find a way to love animals without harming them. That is why I have decided to put my body between those horses and death on a racing circuit”, he argued.

Animal Aid calls for jumping races to be banned to avoid cases like the animal that broke its neck on the first fence of the Grand National. “Jump racing must be banned to prevent this horrible brutality we have seen at Aintree today,” he claimed.

“Innocent racehorses die in the name of entertainment and betting. Aintree is the worst track, it’s a shame for the Hockey Club,” he added.