Animal rights activists will try to’shut down’ today’s Epsom Derby as police issue a disturbance warning.
In an effort to safeguard the animals, Animal Rising protesters plan to ‘cancel or substantially postpone’ the athletic event.
In order to sabotage today’s race, the activist group promised to “put their bodies on the line” on Twitter.
“We are looking to continue the conversation that we started at the Grand National about our broken relationship with animals and nature,” said Nathan McGovern of Animal Rising.
the line’ in order to disrupt today’s race.
Nathan McGovern from Animal Rising said: ‘We are looking to continue the conversation that we started at the Grand National about our broken relationship with animals and nature.
‘On the ground we are looking to cause the cancellation or severe delay of the event so that everyone in the country has this discussion.’
A protester called Claudia Penna Rojas told Sky News she would do ‘what’s necessary’ including breaking the law.
She said: ‘If it means breaking the law, we know that law isn’t always equal to morality and we know that people have had to break laws throughout history to create the change that we need.’
But Surrey Police has hit back and warned it ‘will not tolerate’ risks to public safety.
A spokesperson for the force added: ‘The guiding principles of policing protests are the safety of protesters, the public and police officers involved, preventing criminal behaviour or disorder and de-escalating tensions.
‘We do not comment on officer numbers for operational reasons, but our officers are well-trained in responding to protests and will be on hand throughout the day to police the event.
‘Where lawful, we will seek to facilitate peaceful protests.
‘Any criminal activity or risk to public safety will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action in response to this.’
The Jockey Club which owns Epsom Downs has been granted a High Court injunction against Animal Rising.
It fears the protest will endanger participants, racegoers and horses.
The injunction bans people from going on to the racetrack and disrupting the races.
Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, said today’s security measures would be like none seen before at the race.
He said: ‘Surrey Police have been and continue to be incredibly helpful and we will have a security operation in place at the Derby festival this weekend will be like no other we have seen in the past.’
An area near the racecourse entrance has been set side for Animal Rising protesters to demonstrate peacefully.
Disruption includes intentionally causing objects to enter the racetrack, entering the parade ring, entering and/or remaining on the horses’ route to the parade ring and to the racetrack without authorisation and intentionally endangering any person at Epsom Downs racecourse during the two-day Derby Festival.
Those breaching the court order may be subject to contempt of court proceedings and fined or jailed.
Demonstrators made their way onto the track at Aintree in April and disrupted the Grand National event by 10 minutes.