Animal-rights activists on Thursday staged a protest outside a Marina del Rey sports bar known for hosting turtle races, calling the weekly tradition “exploitative.”
Brennan’s, located at 4089 Lincoln Blvd, calls turtle racing the “sport of kings” on its website and says it has hosted the races for 45 years.
Starting at 8:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month, bar patrons can place “bets” on the turtle of their choosing ahead of each race. Winners get prizes, and all money from the bets goes to charities to help unhoused Angelenos, the bar says.
Dozens gathered outside the bar’s races on Thursday demanding that the turtles be set free, in protests organized by advocacy groups In Defense of Animals, Los Angeles For Animals and Los Angeles Animal Defense League.
“Brennan’s has been exploiting turtles for many years, subjecting them to a harsh environment that is loud with bright lights and it’s unnatural,” protester Brittany Michelson told KTLA. “These animals deserve to be outdoors in a peaceful, natural environment — not forced to race.”
The group said it reached out to management several times before the protest but they haven’t agreed to meet. The bar hasn’t yet commented on the protest.