Update: NYC’s Horse-Drawn Carriage War
The News
One week after NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “There’s tremendous support in the City Council” for banning horse-drawn carriages, a NYC lawmaker who would normally oversee legislation relating to the carriage business held a press conference opposing the Mayor’s plan.
“For over 150 years, the horse carriage industry has grown to employ 300 drivers, blacksmiths and stable workers,” said Council Member Rafael Espinal. The stables, he says “have been modernized with top of the line equipment to make sure that each horse is healthy and safe.”
Note: Even if the stables were adequate, that wouldn’t change the fact that the horses work in the congested streets of NYC; have no access to a pasture; and are denied the ability to do anything that comes naturally to them.
Ironically, the press conference took place just a couple hours after a carriage driver who had been charged with “torturing and injuring animals” made an appearance in criminal court just a few blocks away.
Thirty activists with NY-CLASS attended the press conference and held signs: “Espinal is on the Wrong Side of History.”
Espinal Supports NYC Carriage Trade Photo: Juliet Papa
Your Turn
The road to banning horse-drawn carriages has been paved with more speed bumps than anticipated, with the Teamsters Union, Working Families Party, New York Daily News, carriage owners and actor Liam Neeson working aggressively to keep horse-drawn carriages in NYC.
The Mayor, who has consistently reaffirmed his support of a ban, faces an uphill battle, and he needs the help of those of us who support his position. Please visit NY-CLASS, which leading the fight at City Hall, to see how you can help.
You may also like:
NY Times Publishes Editorial In Support of Horse-drawn Carriage Trade 
Liam Neeson Promotes NYC Horse-drawn Carriage Trade; Activists Fight Back 
NYC Activists to Crash Fashion Designer’s Horse-Drawn Carriage Runway Show NYC To Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages 
Using Misinformation, Working Families Party Pushes To Keep Horse-Drawn Carriages in NYC
Is that speed bump slowing the ban the truth?
What will it take to get this thing done? We need more protests and bigger crowds not just lip service. Should we get arrested? Stop traffic? Whatever it takes, let’s get it done!
I walk by the carriage horses every day on my way to work, and I can’t wait until they are banned. Anyone can see this industry doesn’t belong in a major city. I wish DeBlasio would get moving on this and keep his campaign promise which helped him get elected.
Horse and carriages are a thing of the past. Horses need soft grounds to walk on not concrete streets. People and horses are at risk being the streets with regular traffic…please keep horses where they belong!!!!