New York — The famous horse-drawn carriages will be running in Central Park right now.
A Ban proposal A popular tourist attraction that has been a fixture in Central Park for more than 150 years failed to win approval from a key New York City Council committee on Friday.
Council Health Committee Vote against Send the proposal to the full Council for consideration after a Crowded hearing.
The American Transportation Workers Union, which represents stagecoach workers, praised the committee for standing by its members.
“They are hardworking immigrants who take care of their horses, and they have been constantly attacked and slandered by people with money who have absolutely no regard for the welfare of the animals,” John Samuelsen, president of the federation, said in a statement.
But animal rights campaigners, who have long called for an end to the industry, derided the vote as “sham” and vowed to continue their fight.
Controversy over the popular tourist attraction was revived over the summer when a horse carriage was moved He collapsed and died near its stables, with videos and photos of the animal’s corpse on a city street circulating widely online.
Critics say horse carriages can easily get spooked on city streets, leading to accidents and injuries. They also say the horses are overworked and live in inadequate stables, and that their drivers flaunt city regulations, including leaving piles of horse manure behind.
“Horses have collapsed and even fallen dead in the streets recently. Many horses have been involved in violent escape accidents, collided with vehicles, sent New Yorkers to the hospital, and nearly trampled others,” New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Streets, or NYCLASS, said. In a statement on Friday.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said city lawmakers ignored the views of the “vast majority of New Yorkers” who want to end the industry. The outgoing Democrat He threw his support Behind the ban proposed in recent months and issued Executive order Strengthen industry enforcement,
“It is shameful that the City Council has once again refused to follow the will of our citizens, while at the same time endangering pedestrians, drivers and animals alike,” Adams said. In a statement.
The council’s Democratic leadership has long resisted calls to hold a public hearing and vote on the proposal, which calls for industry cuts as early as next summer.
Instead, the vote was held Friday by the bill’s sponsor, who invoked a procedural rule to force a committee vote.
“This was one of the most undemocratic bids I have ever witnessed on the New York City Council,” Councilman Robert Holden, an outgoing Queens Democrat, said in a statement after his bid was rejected. “The Council couldn’t care less what New Yorkers think.”
Benjamin Vang-Estrada, spokesman for City Council President Adrian Adams, noted that Holden simply failed to do the “legislative work to build support” among his colleagues.
“The Council recognizes that this is a difficult and emotional issue, and any path forward requires a sponsor who brings all parties together in a constructive manner,” he said in an emailed statement.
The Central Park Conservancy, the influential nonprofit that manages the 843-acre (341 ha) park, also announced its support for banning the industry, citing its significant impact on public safety and road infrastructure in the increasingly crowded park.
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Follow Philippe Marcelo at https://x.com/philmarcelo