Naveed Margaret (aunt) testifies about family's grief
Naveed Margaret, Romanch's aunt, testifies about the family's grief, the silence in their home, and urges the council to pass the ban so no other family experiences this nightmare.
My name is Naveed Margaret, and I'm Romance's aunt.
I came here today with a broken heart because our beautiful boy is gone.
And where he used to be, there is now a silence I cannot describe.
Before this, Romance was a sunshine.
I know every family says that.
But I need you to hear it about him.
Charming, loving, full of life.
18 years old, celebrating his graduation with every dream still in front of him.
He trusted the city.
He got into the carriage believing that if New York allowed these rides on its streets, they must be safe.
That trust is what makes this unbearable.
A happy family trip turned into pure terror when the force became wild and uncontrollable.
And in those last moments, my nephew was so brave, braver than any child should ever have to be, facing something like that.
Never should have been allowed to happen to him.
Every day since the quiet in our home is deafening.
Some mornings the grief is so heavy.
It is hard to take a breath.
I look at the empty space where romance should be and the weight of it sits on my chest and does not move.
Please do not let him become a case number on a piece of paper.
If you have children or a niece or a nephew, take off them tonight.
Imagine that fear for one second and then follow your heart.
The horse-drawn carriage ban must come to an end, which is why Romand's death was preventable and why only a ban will do.
Pass Romand's law immediately.
Please help us spare the next family from this nightmare.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Now I'll call up Anuj Thukrat and Sovia Thukrat.
You're here, right?
Come up to the table.
No, he's got to go.