Activists and Fashion Models Clash in Midtown
The News
In one of the most combative protests in years, animal rights activists clashed with carriage drivers, union heads, police officers and fashion models during Victor de Souza’s horse-drawn carriage runway show in midtown Manhattan. Chanting “Victor de Souza, animal abuser,” dozens of activists jogged alongside the carriages as they transported models in an alternative runway show.
By displaying his models on moving carriages, De Souza capitalized on the current media interest in the issue. Just one day earlier, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio made headlines when he reiterated his commitment to ending horse-drawn carriage rides in Manhattan: “There’s tremendous support in the City Council for making this change. And we’re going to move forward.”
The seven carriages carrying the models attempted – but failed – to evade the activists who protested until the moment the “show” was over.
Photo: Metro New York
Your Turn
Mr. de Souza either received the media attention that he wanted, or the protesters ruined the show for him and his models. Either way, this fashion designer’s unglamorous exploitation of animals will be well documented, placing him on wrong side of history.
Mr De Souza took the attention of many away from the show and onto the poor horses! This is not good publicity! He made the models look UGLY in the eyes of many!! I hope the MAYOR goes ahead with the much needed ban, so this does not occur again in New York City!! What a travesty!!
What was ugly and shouldn’t happen again. was the out of control protesters swarming the carriages and models. BdB must have told the police chief to allow that, because it was clearly unlawful and unsafe. Protesters should be kept at a reasonable distance from what they are protesting, not allowed to harass legitimate businesses that they disagree with. Would a shop that sells fur or leather have to put up with that kind of activity?
Liz your an unabashed azz kisser….the event was a success for the horses being nyc it showed AR and PETA Porn folks how wild and uncontrollable they are..they were trying to cause an accident but as we saw the horses can withstand thatABUSE..the mayor (Longshanks) is sliding down a greased pole in public opinion..he is a bad mayor a mayor being investigated by the FBI and one term mayor
The winners last night were the drivers and the horses. They stayed so calm and relaxed in a vortex of activity – protesters shouting, waving signs, jogging after them in the park, photographers with flash cameras taking pictures, police car flashing lights and more. Nothing spooked them.
De Souza claimed to be ‘unaware’ of the controversy around the issue but on Good Day New York, they showed him again with a carriage horse Tyson (who was incidentally immaculately groomed for TV) where he said he wanted to celebrate the iconic image of horses in Central Park. But if you watch Greg Kelly here – he needles him about it being a publicity stunt which it clearly was! World famous fashion designer? I think not!!!
http://www.myfoxny.com/clip/10547689/models-amp-horse-drawn-carriages
So over GdNY giving coverage to this industry. Ban the carriage horses now!
Well I think Soxiegal is a horse drawn carriage operator! The activists are not fanatics! They are helping those without a voice have a voice.
These protestors are dangerous fanatics. They rushed the carriages, waved signs and screamed at the models and drivers. They had to be pushed away from the horses by the police when the tried to menace them and block their path. Harassing a horse in a crowd is a good way to get people killed. It’s stupid, irresponsible, dangerous behavior. The horses are the real heroes here. They stayed calm and never put a foot wrong even with the fracas going on around them. Kills the argument that the horses are flighty and dangerous. Endangering the public is a poor way to prove you’re “humane”.
What is truly “fanatic” is having horse-drawn carriages work in the same streets as aggressive taxi drivers, double-decker tour buses and ambulances in midtown Manhattan in 2014 and then sending them home through rush hour to the 2nd and 3rd story of former warehouse buildings up to 2 miles away with no break in between to graze on a pasture or interact physically with other horses. Future generations will look back in awe when they see the images and video of horse and buggies in the chaotic streets of midtown.
I’m in agreement with Soxiegal. Watching the videos shows how the protesters have no real concern for the horses. Everything they do is an attempt to frighten them. I think the horses are the real heroes for showing how well they are able to ignore the stupid people yelling, running around and waving signs in their faces.
And, for the record, I am not a carriage driver or related to the industry in any way. I just appreciate a well trained horse more than anyone associated with PETA.
In her blog one of the models, who was called ‘ugly, hideous, and a waste of human life’ by the charming protesters, had an interesting view of the event: http://raindovethemodel.blogspot.com/2014/09/edgeucation-victor-de-souza-fashion.html
Thanks for reporting on this, Donny. I’m thrilled you dampened, if not outright ruined this numbskull’s hedonistic attempt to further exploit already altogether too exploited horses. I love your new blog, and it’s because of fantastic, incisive pieces like this.