Alexis Lawson (carriage driver) testifies opposing ban

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen left of the council.

My name is Alexis Lawson.

I am a Queens native who is from South Jamaica, and I'm asking you to oppose Intro 943.

Being a young girl from the South Side, I never had the opportunity to see the animals I was so obsessed with until the day I was allowed to pet a waiting carriage horse, and it set my path in stone.

I used to parrot animal abuse when I was a little girl.

You know, I loved animals and I believed what I saw online.

Then I learned that animal welfare should never be about if an animal has a job or not, but rather about how the animal's physical and mental needs are being met.

I transitioned into carriage driving in 2021, leaving an office job for my passion.

And it was my very first carriage horse, Midnight, who would be my saving grace as I lost my mom at the beginning of my career.

She pulled me from my depression when nothing could, being my therapist and best friend.

As such, I could not imagine being ripped away from working aside my horse for him.

Just the thought of not being able to work aside my horse is a soul question, for no one sees the dedication and love we share.

Instead, I look at her job and callously claim I don't love her.

Animal welfare is incredibly important, and I feel we need to remind people that animal welfare and animal rights are two incredibly different topics.

At this time, I would also like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Ramanak.

The tragic passing of this young man was and still is felt deeply by our entire industry, which is why we are asking to move forward instead with Intro 930.

Because to take advantage of a family's laws for political gain is abhorrent.

And in light of that, we are requesting stronger driver training and safety in his honor.

He came here to take a carriage ride, as millions have done for over 100 years.

Carriage horses are woven into the fabric of New York City's identity.

How dare you tell them they do not belong?

How can you claim to love horses but then want to destroy their careers, take food from their mouths, from their families and their owners who love them?

I strongly urge the council to oppose 943.

And instead, I ask you all to focus and support until 937, which is working on reforming the industry as a whole.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Councilmember Gennaro has a question for this panel.