'We're animal lovers': Animal Rising protesters gather outside Grand National

Animal Rising supporters gathered for a protest outside Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, 15 April, before the Grand National was due to take place.

The group says they have planned to disrupt the event, though not on the racecourse whilst horses or jockeys are on the track, so that it "doesn't even begin."

Spokesperson Claudia Penna Rojas said the group were taking action as they are "animal lovers" and want a "national conversation about our broken relationship with animals and the natural world."

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[keithmcgregor]

I enjoyed watching the protesters getting battered more than the race, then again I never bet the winner 🐎

[musicplaylists]

They are right, animals should not suffer for human entertainment. To disagree with this point is to argue against common sense and decency. They are obviously people who in the future will be considered ahead of their time unlike the majority of the sheeple population.

[bigbarty]

Just saw the "protest", what a totally embarrassing failure. 😂😂😂😂😂

[nathanielwinkle]

They probably caused the chaos horses too long in the heat should have just left them and carried on with the race

[BigNorm]

Was arrested for an oil protest last year 🙄. One of the usual rentamob bunch.

[DamieonAndrewmathewAusti-cyeo]

I agree as an animal lover and equestrian myself
This event is danger to horses as
Many died on this course over the years the jumps
Are
To high horses gash themselves stop
The grand national for good
Let a new age begin let
The welfare of animals continue I know the staff care but entering horses into this race is
Not the best many horses will
Be killed and continue on this track. Glad people are
Passionate
About this and to
Stop this event #ANIMALSAREFRIENDSOFOURS

[sarabrown]

Speaking as an equestrian I agree with their protests. Even if police have intervened in both nationals & they failed the fact they went & put their point across

What annoys me is in last weeks National at aintree when 3 horses died. All those involved with the event had the AUDACITY TO CREEP ROUND THE OWNERS & TRAINERS & GROOMS ETC BY SAYING HOW SORRY THEY WERE!!!! If they abandoned the race those horses would still have been alive!!

Despite horses losing their lives all those involved with staging the race are TOO BLIND TO SEE HOW DANGEROUS BOTH NATIONALS ARE (PARTICULARLY AINTREE!!) They say safety measures are in place - not doing any good are they!!! Horses are still dying. Historically only ONE jockey has evet died aftet riding in the national to the hundreds of horses who have died. Theu just wont have the common decency to stop the race permantly but stupid enough to continue in the name of money & entertainment witjout any care as to what happens to the horses

[timmielynch]

They protester actually caused more trouble! Let the horses run! Long live the national hunt

[jackyglazebrook]

Name and shame all protesters, so future employers will be able to see who the troublemakers are.

[thomasdavis]

Put the animal lovers in a cage with a lion or tiger .eejits😅😅

[YorkshireBob]

If you can't be kind to the innocent, humans don't stand a chance; filthy world full of evil.

[gillgallher-lnsb]

Thank you so much for #racingawarness

I will never ever watch a race and spread the word

[CodeCritters]

You are endangering the animals by delaying the race and their complex preparations for the race.

[sarabrown]

. I forgot to say all the presenters /all those involved pap on sbout how the horses get 5 star treatment befote the race. - That may as well be & while thats good but the way i see it is its not the 5 star treatment that causes the loss of life to the horses

[johnshaves]

They have been emboldened by seeing the guttless police stand by and do nothing when just stop oil blocked the yes yes, i know! They were rushed of there feet siezing dolls🙄

[childofthes]

Being an animal lover does not exclude you from enjoying horse racing.

Enjoying horse racing, does not exclude you from being an animal lover.

[JOEFABULOUS.]

The national has become a lot safer for horses recently or so I thought

[davidseals]

They soon got fooked up.
God bless the locals even though they an that laaaa

[mjtalkspolitics]

yeah see its interesting because im a meat eater through and through because its part of my diet but i also think abusing animals for the sake of betting and money is you know well wrong!

[steerpike]

I wonder what colour the sky is on there planet.