18/05/2023, 12:41
Why did we protest at the Grand National? To finally make Britain talk about our treatment of animals I Alex Lockwood I The
'On average, a horse dies every other day on the tracks, over jumps and on the flat' The water jump at the Grand National. Photograph: Paul Greenwood/Shutterstock We are a movement for all life and that includes animals exploited elsewhere such as in sports and animal testing. The aim was to stop the race before it began. But sadly it was deemed more important for people to have a bit of fun and a flutter than to stop animals from dying. For those few claiming that our actions affected the horses and outcome, we point to the fact we were not taking action for the other 2,601 deaths since 2007. Direct action has been part of a healthy democracy for as long as there has been democracy, especially when it is obvious that "business as usual" does not represent the values of most of us. In the UK, according to research by the University of York, more than 80% of people under 40 do not want to attend horse racing events because they know it is unethical. Returning to the bigger picture, has anyone yet taken any action that is proportionate to the coming social and economic collapse that is likely to result from the climate crisis? Have we persuaded our climate-insane government to take proportionate action? Not yet - if we had, it would have already ended animal farming and fishing and supported farmers into safer, more sustainable practices. That's why we'll be taking more action this year, along with all those acting to challenge the existential threat. We're not against those who attended Aintree, or the trainers or jockeys. But we accept Saturday was the biggest challenge to horse racing in this country for more than a decade. Let's hope that we've begun the process of having this crucial conversation about our treatment of animals and the natural world, and that others - our government, and all those who say they love animals - stand with us to tackle the mounting crises we face. This article was amended on 18 April 2023 to clarify that Hill Sixteen was not put down or euthanised, but died of its injuries. Alex Lockwood is an Animal Rising spokesperson and volunteer Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article?Ifyou would like to submit a response ofup to300 words by email to be consideredfor publication in our letterssection, please click here.
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