Animal rights activists from the group Animal Rising tried to stop the Scottish Grand National race on Saturday by storming the track with a protest video viral
Even though security was tightened and there were a lot of police around, the protesters made it onto the track. Video posted on social media showed 25 of their followers breaking through the fence and taking different spots around the track.
The event happened just days after protesters tried to break through the fences around the Grand National at Aintree in England, which delayed the race by 15 minutes. “a large number of protesters attempted to gain entry onto the course,” Merseyside Police said. Officers were able to stop most of them from getting through the fence, but the nine people who did get through were later caught.
Animal Rising activists disrupt Scottish Grand National Race 2023 with protest on track in viral video
!! BREAKING !!
25 supporters of Animal Rising have made it onto the track at the Scottish Grand National, to put their bodies in the way of harm, and protect animals.They're attempting to attach themselves to jumps and gates in order to cancel the big race.
This afternoon… pic.twitter.com/dcixhbGniX
— Animal Rising (@AnimalRising) April 22, 2023
In Scottish Grand National, the Animal Rising group quickly posted on social media that they were responsible for what happened and shared a video of their followers on the track. The group says that they are trying to “protect horses” and that “the summer of Animal Rising is upon us,” which could mean that they will do something else in the future.
Even though there were more police at the Scottish race, there was a protest, and there was no sign that protesters had planned a rally before the weekend. The episode has sparked a larger discussion about the role of protests and activism in the world of sports. Some people say that sporting events shouldn’t be interrupted in any way.
Animal rights activism in sports world sparks controversy
The protest at the 2023 World Snooker Championship, which led to the incident at the Scottish Grand National, was also well-known. Two protesters got up from their chairs and ran over to the two tables. One of them threw orange powder across the playing field while wearing a T-shirt that said “Just Stop Oil.” On the other table, the judge stopped the other protester from glueing himself to the table, so the game could go on.
Our supporters are being released from custody this morning after attempting to stop the Scottish Grand National. They have been met with the heartbreaking news that a second horse died yesterday. Mighty Thunder died of a heart attack after running in the race that devastatingly… pic.twitter.com/jwcX2zAGDL
— Animal Rising (@AnimalRising) April 23, 2023
Animal rights activism is becoming a more and more controversial topic in the sports world. Many fans and players support these causes, while others say that these actions ruin games and take away from the sport itself. Even so, it’s clear that protests like Scottish Grand National will continue to be a big deal in the years to come, as activists try to get people to pay attention and push for change.
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