Kathy Nizzari (Lights Out Coalition) testifies supporting ban
Kathy Nizzari of Lights Out Coalition testifies supporting the ban, compares industry displacement to her own family's taxi medallion loss, notes the MTA is hiring with strong wages, and urges passage without delay.
Afternoon, I'm Kathy Nazari of Lights Out Coalition.
Thank you for allowing me to testify in support of Intro 943, Roe-Munch's Law.
These are the only horse-drawn carriages not obsolete in NYC and are still forced to work in conditions unsuited to their welfare.
Reports of collapses, injuries, illegal working conditions, and deaths on city streets continue.
For years, advocates warned it would take a human death before this business finally ended.
Tragically, that prediction came true when a promising young man named Romesh Mahajan lost his life.
his life.
My heart goes out to him and his family.
They should never have endured such a devastating loss or been forced to become advocates for change.
Change is a reality of life.
How many of us have had to find new employment at some point?
When rideshare services transformed the taxi industry, my own father's immigrant family's medallion lost its value.
There was no bailout.
They adapted.
Histories filled with occupations that disappeared and workforce transitions are increasingly common.
If we cannot manage this one, how will we respond when more than half a million local jobs predicted are lost to AI?
We cannot justify continuing a dangerous, outdated industry simply because people don't like change.
The carriage drivers have something many displaced workers never had, union representation and a pathway to retraining and new jobs.
Their union is well positioned to help them and should.
The MTA, also with TWU, is actively hiring with strong wages and benefits.
Romant's death must not become another tragedy that is acknowledged and forgotten.
The fundamental right to life must always take precedence over commercial interests.
Business must never come at the cost of living beings.
I respectfully urge the Council to pass Intro 943.
without delay and get these poor horses off the streets now.
And if I may, Chair Shulman, I wanted to respond to a question that came up earlier.
Someone asked about NYPD hiring horse caregivers or caretakers.
And according to NYC.gov, the NYPD frequently hires dedicated civilian staff to care for their horses.
They work directly in the department stables and are responsible for feeding, grooming, cleaning stalls, and assisting the units veterinarians.
Thank you very much.
All right, next.