Last Ever Waterloo Cup!!!

The Waterloo Cup is the UK`s biggest hare coursing event and takes place annually at Great Altcar, Merseyside. It attracts up to 10,000 blood `sport` fanatics from round the country. Under the Hunting Bill, due to come into force on Friday 18 February, hare coursing will become illegal, which should make the 2005 event, the last ever!! Supporters of Fight Against Animal Cruelty in Europe(FAACE), the League Against Cruel Sports & the Hunt Sabs Association held a march & demo at the event on Monday 14 Feb.

Approx 200 protesters joined the demo, which included 4 or 5 car loads from the West Midlands. After meeting up, we marched for several miles along country lanes to get to the fields where the event is held. Protesters were there for an entirely peaceful demo, whereas the blood `sports` fanatics seemed intent on violence, not only against animals but protesters too!! The pictures below show how their behaviour escalated into a near riot and all the protesters became very glad of the police`s presence!!

Mounted police assemble before the march

The long march to the coursing fields

A hedge separates us from the blood `sports` fanatics, many of whom mock our protest, use offensive language & make threats

The coursing field can be seen in the background, with 1,000`s watching from the grass bank

A line of police protect protesters

Police mingle with the fanatics in an attempt to stop missiles being thrown at protesters

Police film the most abusive, agressive fanatics & also those they suspect threw bottles, rocks & fireworks. Somebody even threw a dead hare!!

As protesters started to leave, the fanatics became more violent & the police struggled to control them! Police were clearly worried for our safety as they hurried us along!!

Hundreds of angry fanatics tried to follow us and many of them jumped this ditch, but were soon stopped by police

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