Nathan Semmel testifies remotely on need for courage to act

Good evening, my name is Nathan Semmel.

My wife, Meredith, and I are District 7 residents in Manhattan.

Our representative is Majority Leader Shaun-Abreu.

When we saw the video that Leader-Abreu posted of his goddaughter, Jada, asking the council to ban horse carriages, we were thrilled.

I immediately texted him to thank him, and he responded right away.

He wrote, my man, took me some time, exclamation point.

That phrase took me some time, got me thinking.

Councilmember O'Brie was a good man and a wonderful council member.

And I suspect from our conversations over the years that he's never been comfortable with horse carriages.

However, the conviction just wasn't quite there to stick his neck out.

And I suspect there are many members of this committee and council who have felt the same way.

Good people, uncomfortable with horse carriages in a modern urban environment, but for various reasons not quite uncomfortable enough to do something about it.

To do the right thing.

And I responded to the council member and I said, that's okay, the arc of progress bends towards justice.

And he immediately wrote back, yes, sir.

I'm not here to litigate the past or ask anyone what took them so long or sit in judgment.

I'm here to litigate the past.

Here to celebrate being on the precipice of justice.

But I do so with a message to those members who still find themselves not ready or unwilling.

There are now flashing red lights with conspicuous warning signs screaming two things.

Horses in New York City parks and streets are unpredictable, and horse carriages kill people.

Members, took me some time will never be an acceptable response or explanation in the future.

To those members who for years have been willing to protect the horses, I thank you.

To those who it took some time.

Time expired.

Just summarize.

Okay.

I'm equally grateful.

And one more sentence.

To the gentleman who earlier said that advocates are exploiting Romach's death, you don't get to tell people who have warned for years of this tragedy happening that they are exploiting

when it does.

Thank you very much.

Next.