Melbourne (AFP)
American pop star Taylor Swift has canceled the concert she was to give at the Melbourne Cup, a horse race that is the subject of a campaign of activists who denounce the cruelty experienced by racehorses.
The 29-year-old singer was to sing two songs from her latest album "Lover" on the occasion of the main Australian horse race, which will take place on November 5th.
The announcement of his arrival immediately provoked an avalanche of criticism on social networks. Accusing him of "supporting animal abuse," the racehorse protesters blamed him for thinking of "money" before showing "compassion."
More than 6,500 people have signed an online petition asking him to give up his benefit.
In a statement released Saturday night, organizer Mushroom Events said the star was forced to cancel his show for reasons of timing.
"Changes in his promotional campaign in Asia have made his presence here logistically impossible," he says.
Campaigners for the protection of racing horses welcomed this decision.
"The pressure on Taylor Swift to cancel her performance was important," they wrote on Facebook.
"Her fans did not want to see her support this animal abuse, and although the reason given by the racing industry is a programming problem, it seems to us that she has responded to these calls," they say.
Since 2013, six horses participating in the Melbourne Cup, have died. Last year, The CliffsofMoher, a five-year-old Irish horse, was euthanized after fracturing his right shoulder during this race which, since 1876, is taking place on the first Tuesday of November.
The cancellation of Taylor Swift's arrival "is obviously disappointing for everyone," said Neil Wilson, general manager of the Victoria Racing Club.
© 2019 AFP