June 12, 2014
By Stephanie West
New York, NY – Central Park’s carriage drivers cheered the latest Quinnipiac poll, showing growing opposition to the proposed ban on the iconic New York industry.
A Quinnipiac press release stated that “New York City voters say 66 – 26 percent that de Blasio should not ban horse-drawn carriages, compared to 64 – 24 percent support for carriage horses in a March 19 Quinnipiac University poll. Support for the horses is strong across party, gender and racial lines.”
“While opponents of the industry continue to be vocal, it is clear that they represent only a small slice of New Yorkers,” said George Miranda, President of Teamsters Joint Council 16, which represents the carriage drivers. “Anyone who has visited the stables and seen the horses at works knows they are well loved and cared for.”
“It feels great to have the support of average New Yorkers, which is growing every day,” said carriage driver and industry spokesperson Stephen Malone. “We are working-class people who need these jobs to support our families. With the support of our neighbors, we are proud to keep this New York tradition alive.”
The Central Park horse carriage industry employs over 300 New Yorkers in middle-class, union jobs. The industry has the support of dozens of horse welfare organizations and equine veterinarians, the editorial boards of the New York Times, New York Daily News, and New York Post, as well as the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
