Melbourne Cup protests: Police deploy officers and drones to counter demonstrations
An anti-racing protester has staged a colourful demonstration at the Melbourne Cup, donning a bathrobe to take aim at cruelty.
A passionate protest outside today’s Melbourne Cup attracted a host of colourful characters, including a man dressed in a purple bathrobe and frocked-up women covered in fake blood.
Animal rights activists and anti-horseracing groups staged a demonstration at Flemington, holding placards and chanting as punters inside the racecourse waited for the main event.
Among the protesters was Perry McShane, who donned a bathrobe with a drink bottle in the front pocket, wearing a spotted orange bandana on his head.
He didn’t fit in with the glamorous Cup-going crowd who steamed past him throughout the early afternoon, but that was intentional.
“The outfit is not really an outfit,” the 21-year-old told news.com.au. “I just chucked something on because I didn’t want to get dressed up.”
Mr McShane held a sign as he stood outside the main gates that read: “How would you liked to be whipped till you bled (sic).”
On the other side, he wrote: “Pick up your litter. Who are the animals.”
He received awkward glances from racegoers but said he didn’t mind, explaining he’s against the race that stops a nation and was happy to make a scene.
“It’s unethical and honestly these people just look really stupid in my opinion,” he said.
“They all get dressed up and most of them won’t even watch the race. At the end of the day they’ll just be pissed and there will be a huge amount of litter everywhere.
“I’m trying to imply that these people are a lot more animalistic than horses.”
A short distance up the road, an estimated 100 protesters had gathered, playing music and yelling at punters to “enjoy the race” and “hopefully no horses die”.
Over the loudspeaker, a protester chanted: “Jockeys have a retirement plan. Trainers have a retirement plan. Strippers have a retirement plan. But the racehorse gets a 50 cent bullet to the head.”
Omtara Grace was among them. She told news.com.au she was not originally planning to protest but was angered as the morning went on.
So, she went home and made a sign that reads: “Your pretty dresses are stained with the blood of the innocent.”
“I’ve never actually stood behind my beliefs until this year,” Mr Grace said. “I was driving through here and I was infuriated.”
Also in the crowd of protesters were three women wearing frocks and hats who covered themselves in fake blood to parade in front of cameras.
The trio mocked the tradition of ‘fashions on the field’ complete with catwalk modelling poses.
In the lead-up to the Cup, Victoria Police took steps to ensure the peace was kept.
They deployed significant resources across the Flemington precinct, including surveillance drones, in response to planned protest action, as well as for general safety purposes.
“We’re there to keep you safe and ensure a small minority don’t spoil what is a great week of sport and celebrations for others,” Superintendent Therese Fitzgerald said.
“Expect to see large numbers of police focused on preventing and detecting any anti-social and criminal behaviour.”
RELATED: Melbourne Cup 2019 – inside word from every horse’s connections
A groundswell of negative sentiment has been building for weeks, with a number of celebrities – including US pop star Taylor Swift and Australian model Megan Gale – pulling out of attending the Cup.
Aussie hip-hop trio Hilltop Hoods joined the chorus of high-profile opponents of horseracing, posting a to-the-point Tweet today that simply read: “F*** the cup.”
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses was the main organiser of Spring Racing Carnival demonstrations and said awareness of animal welfare issues was the highest it has ever been this year, with more Australians “saying nup to the Cup”.
A number of other groups have advocated for boycotts, including Animals Australia and the group PETA, which urged disruptive action including wearing “gory” fascinators covered in fake blood.
RELATED: Melbourne Cup regular Megan Gale pulls out after shocking doco reveals racehorse cruelty
It wasn’t just Melbourne that played host to anti-Cup protests today, with a dozen or so picketers gathering outside Eagle Farm racecourse in Brisbane.
The group held signs with a variety of messages, including “You bet, they die” and “Start thinking, start caring” on them. One woman donned a black veil.
Meanwhile in Perth, Crown Casino staff chose to strike and hold a picket line urging Cup punters to go elsewhere. It’s related to a dispute between United Voice union members, who are demanding a three per cent increase, and Crown, which has offered 1.75 per cent.
Action in the Victorian capital today followed a noisy protest of the traditional Melbourne Cup parade in the city yesterday, which overshadowed festivities.
It also reportedly saw a Sky News reporter abused by some participants.
Patrick Murrell was filming a piece to camera from the parade when anti-racing demonstrators surrounded him, screaming abuse.
“You’re a hack. You failed at university. Your parents paid for university. You’re a f**king hack,” one man could be heard yelling.
Critics of the Cup say it and other racing events promote cruelty and cause the death of a large number of horses each year.
A recent 7.30 investigation exposed the fate of thousands of former thoroughbreds, who are slaughtered for meat for export markets or turned into pet food.
Join the conversation
World erupts over presenter’s daring dress
A TV presenter has narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction while wearing a daring dress during coverage of a major football game.
Read more
‘Absolutely ridiculous’: Olympics bomb drops
Donald Trump is pushing International Olympic Committee to change its rules on transgender athletes after he signed a ban of his own.
Read more
America loses it over Aussie megastar
Australia’s Rhea Ripley is taking wrestling by storm as one of WWE’s biggest stars, but her dominance has sparked debate.
Read more