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Public Testimony

Fiorella Valdivia (District 5 resident) testifies supporting ban

New York City Council · Jul 15, 2026 · starts 7:59:03 · 5 min 12 sec

Fiorella Valdivia, a District 5 resident near Central Park, testifies supporting the ban, shares her own experience losing a sibling, and asks council members who haven't supported the bill if they can afford to let this continue.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

My name is Fiorella Valdivia.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

I live in District 5.

Council Staff

Talk closer to the microphone.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

My name is Fiorella Valdivia.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

I live in District 5, a few blocks from Central Park.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

So I see this every day.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

I would like to thank everyone who came here today, including all council members supporting romance law.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

Intro 943.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

And especially Speaker Julie-Menin for her leadership.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

As someone who already lost a sibling in a tragedy, I know what a romance family is going through.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

They have to go through this pain for the rest of their life.

Member of the Public - Fiorella Valdivia

And when his little brother sees another brother together, he will be in profoundly pain.

Member of the Public

This issue is far from ill-conceived and silly, as was suggested by Councilmember James Gennaro.

Member of the Public

What a shame.

Member of the Public

I have a question for all the council members who have not supported Ramange Law Intro 943.

Member of the Public

Do you really have the luxury to allow this to continue?

Member of the Public

Do you?

Member of the Public

We can see why carriage horses do not belong in dense populated settings like Central Park.

Member of the Public

We all know how heavily trafficked and loud New York is.

Member of the Public

The carriage industry is a 19th century industry trying to fit in the 21st century.

Member of the Public

No occupation should take precedence over human life.

Member of the Public

The citizens of New York deserve a transformative change and not want to be compromised.

Member of the Public

This is an urgent matter, and the truth is that there is no regulation

Member of the Public

that can prevent this from happening again.

Member of the Public

And if we don't address it with urgency, many more will follow Ramesh and his family destiny.

Member of the Public

Thank you.

Lynn C. Schulman

Thank you so much.

Lynn C. Schulman

Thank you to this panel.

Member of the Public

Let's go.

Council Staff

The next panel is John Rosen.

Council Staff

Rose and green, sorry.

Council Staff

Yes, no?

Council Staff

Okay.

Council Staff

Lauren Koenig?

Council Staff

Israel Melman.

Council Staff

Yalda.

Council Staff

Mosley, okay, come on.

Council Staff

Roxanne Delgado.

Council Staff

Yes?

Council Staff

Okay, great.

Council Staff

And Nellie McKay.

Council Staff

Nope.

Council Staff

Okay.

Council Staff

Okay, Justina Adorno.

Council Staff

Joanne Sulaco.

Council Staff

Are you just in it?

Council Staff

Oh, you're Nellie.

Council Staff

Okay.

Council Staff

Sorry.

Council Staff

Okay, great.

Council Staff

Oh, Valentine.

Council Staff

Joanne Sulaco.

Council Staff

Yalda Moslenian?

Council Staff

Oh, that's you.

Council Staff

Okay, I'm sorry.

Council Staff

It's late.

Council Staff

Donna Stein and Lorraine Fleischman.

Council Staff

Okay, Lorraine's not here.

Council Staff

Donna's here.

Council Staff

Okay.

Council Staff

All right.

Council Staff

So we'll start with you guys.

Council Staff

Just state your name for the record, and then we'll give you a testimony.

Council Staff

Thank you.