It is now clear that there is no agreement on the mayor’s proposal to shut down the carriage trade and move some horses to a stable in Central Park that may or may not be built. The Teamsters Union and the carriage trade oppose it in the bill’s current form. You can get a full explanation here.
There has been a tremendous amount of confusion and conflict- a lot of intense and internal politics – but that has morphed into a common realization that the mayor is simply trying to ban the carriage horses in a back room and indirect way. If the bill passes the way it is written, the carriage trade will be gone.
Last night, the mayor told reporters it is still his hope and intention to ban the carriage horses, which he says he believes do not belong in the city, even in the park. It is not clear why anyone would submit to being dependent on someone who is openly determined to destroy them.
I think there are many people in the trade and the Teamsters Union who like the idea of stable in the park, but not if it means that the carriage trade will be nibbled to death by all kinds of restrictions and curbs, by peckerheads, toothless ducks and midgets.
The restrictions that mayor insists go into effect immediately would double the work load of the remaining horses, drastically reduce the income of the drivers, remove the horses from their historic 59th st stands and put many part-time drivers stablehands and others out of work.
The drivers have put up a help page which spells out the various ways in which people can help.
A hearing is scheduled in the City Council for 10 a.m. Friday, the public and attend and testify if they wish and live in or near New York City. It will be loud, crowded and chaotic there. I am trying to figure out if I can get down there, I have to check the trains, and there’s a good sized storm kicking around Friday evening and I’m not sure if I can even get in. I’m looking into it, I’d love to go. The hearing is expected to last all day.
The opposition to this bill is now fierce and growing, my wish is that the mayor gets drubbed on this issue once more.
The public has generally been shut out of this process, we are all just beginning to understand what has happened. Many of the drivers are still confused about it.
The people of New York seem committed to keeping the horses and the public-at-large seems better educated about the reality of the horse’s lives than before, the animal rights movement is no longer the only source of information about them.
Many people are writing me saying that they are discouraged that the survival of the horses has come up again, but this will be a long struggle. The more I know about this legislation, the less likely I think it is to pass in this form. But this conflict has been a long time in the making and will continue for a long time. It will require patience, clarity and a massive re-education of the public about what the real lives and needs of animals are like – no matter what the City Council does or doesn’t do.
Many of you have helped and can help now, whether you live in New York City or not. The help page will tell you how. And thanks.