Anti-lockdown mob stage Nup to the Cup protest takeover in unruly Melbourne Cup demonstration

Anti-lockdown protesters are staging an unruly takeover of the 2021 Melbourne Cup, attending a demonstration outside the Flemington Racecourse.

A sizeable group of anti-lockdown protesters have gathered outside the Melbourne Cup in an uruly demonstration calling on Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to stand down.

Hundreds gathered outside the Flemington racecourse about midday where they shouted, “save our children”, “free Victoria” and “sack Dan Andrews”.

A shirtless man addressed the crowd at one point, reminding protesters why they were demonstrating.

The group was protesting against the new pandemic legislation presented to parliament last week, using the tagline “kill the bill”.

Someone speculated that at one point, there were more people gathered outside the venue than inside.

A huge crowd gathered outside the Melbourne Cup entrance and listened to this man speak. Picture: Facebook

The laws would give the premier power to declare a pandemic for three months at a time and allow Health Minister Martin Foley to sign off on public health orders without the approval of the chief health officer, and are set to replace the state of emergency powers in December.

A large group of anti-lockdown portesters gathered in preparation to walk to the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Facebook

Anti-lockdown protesters await direction to begin marching. Picture: Facebook

While animal rights activists were invited to join the demonstration, Nup to the Cup protests had already been shut down by police earlier on Tuesday.

Several protesters dressed in black were filmed being arrested about 10.30am outside the Flemington venue.

They reportedly marched towards the gates shouting “nup to the cup”.

Members from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses were behind the protest, with the group allowing just 30 people to join in compliance with Victoria’s current Covid rules.

Seven horses have died on Cup Day since 2013.

ABC news presenter Michael Rowland said the figure left him feeling “conflicted”.

“I am increasingly conflicted about the Melbourne Cup,” he wrote in a tweet.

Several protesters were arrested outside the Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday. Picture: Twitter/JMFenwick

“Yes, it’s a huge event (and God knows Melbourne needs them at the moment). But I can’t overlook the fact seven horses have died on Cup Day since 2013. That really doesn’t sit easily with me. Genuinely torn.”

Elsewhere, animal rights group Animal Liberation staged protests outside the Brisbane, Sydney and Perth Melbourne Cup events.

Apprehended at the gate pic.twitter.com/fZdjtDfqpa

— Julie Fenwick (@JMFenwick) November 1, 2021

“Join us next Tuesday outside the main gate at Eagle Farm as we stand up for the thousands of horses who lose their life every year at the hands of the racing industry,” a post from the group to Twitter read.

Anthony Van Dyck, one of the favourites in last year’s event, fractured his fetlock on the track and was later euthanised, becoming the seventh Melbourne Cup horse death in as many years.

In 2018, Cliffsofmoher had to be euthanised after suffering a fractured shoulder, In 2013, Verema was euthanised after snapping a bone in her leg, and in 2014, Admire Rakti collapsed and died in his stall after a race, while Araldo broke a leg and was euthanised.

In 2015, Red Cadeaux broke his left foreleg, was rushed to the vet for surgery and was euthanised days later.

In 2016, Regal Monarch died after a dramatic mid-race fall.

🐎 The Melbourne Cup is almost upon us and we will be holding our annual protest outside the Brisbane Races. Join us next Tuesday outside the main gate at Eagle Farm as we stand up for the thousands of horses who lose their life every year at the hands of the racing industry. pic.twitter.com/n0y23O3IX3

— Animal Liberation (@animallibqld) October 25, 2021

Originally published as Anti-lockdown mob stage Nup to the Cup protest takeover in unruly Melbourne Cup demonstration