A deep-rooted New York City tradition, spanning over a century, now hangs by a thread, and the hard-working horse carriage drivers are sounding the alarm. They warn that ordinary Americans will pay the ultimate price if City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, known for his socialist leanings, succeeds in dismantling this iconic industry.
Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced a deal on Tuesday to phase out horse-drawn carriages in the Big Apple, with a bill expected to be voted on next week. If passed, carriage operations would be banned starting in June 2028. This move, hailed by some as a win for animal rights, is quietly destroying the livelihoods of families who have dedicated generations to this cherished tradition.
For years, the horse-drawn carriages lining Central Park have been a beloved sight for families and tourists, offering a unique glimpse into New York's history. The current legislative push, dubbed "Romanch's Law," gained momentum following the tragic death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan in a fall this past June. While any loss of life is tragic, the incident has been co-opted by animal rights activists to push a long-standing agenda.
These activists have relentlessly targeted the industry, leveling accusations of mistreatment and even heckling drivers on the streets. Viral videos of isolated incidents have fueled calls to terminate the industry entirely, creating a narrative that ignores the reality on the ground.
However, industry leaders are pushing back, vehemently refuting the criticisms and arguing that this New York City hallmark is being unfairly maligned. They warn that countless livelihoods will be crushed under the weight of Mamdani's progressive agenda.
"You have pedicabs flying around, so why are they permitted to have a business?" asked Frank Riccobono, owner and manager of NYC Horse Carriage Rides, speaking to Fox News Digital. "And now a 168-year-old tradition, attraction is being forced to surrender, which is very taboo. I want my investment to stay there for the next 20 years, 50 years, 100."
Riccobono, who owns 12 horses and three carriages, eloquently explained that raising horses is akin to raising a child, a bond that "non-horse people" will never truly understand. "I had horses give birth in front of me," he shared. "I've owned their mom and I have their baby and it's like taking a child away from me."
The bill claims owners could keep, sell, or transfer their horses, provided they are not sent to slaughter, another carriage business, or "inhumane purposes." But for Riccobono, it means his beloved horses can no longer be a part of his family's generational business in the city.
He decried the criticism as "brainwashing," asserting his horses receive "the most perfect lifestyle" and are regularly seen by certified veterinarians. "That's what this bill shows," he stated. "It shows they're trying to criminalize us because a horse is working."
Beyond the emotional toll, Riccobono faces a devastating financial loss. He purchased a medallion—a license to operate—for nearly $400,000. "I am going to take a very, very big loss here and there's no reimbursement in this bill," he explained. This is typical government overreach, destroying private investment without proper compensation.
The proposed ban transcends mere business loss; it threatens a family legacy. Riccobono himself has spent over two decades driving carriages, following in the footsteps of his father, who dedicated 47 years to the profession.
"I have a father that has medical conditions," he revealed. "I have colleagues that are on dialysis. These people rely on these medallions for income, for retirement. But they're trying to strip this away from us and they don't even know how much they're gonna give us."
His wife, Natalie, echoed the sentiment, warning that without her husband’s income, their family will be unable to "sustain what we have right now." She added, "By taking away these businesses from us, they are literally taking food off of our table and possibly a shelter from over our heads."
Despite Mamdani’s assurances of helping drivers transition into new jobs—a common refrain from socialist politicians—the reality for the city’s approximately 200 carriage drivers remains shrouded in uncertainty. Their voices, they say, have been deliberately ignored by the very people claiming to help.
Mamdani, speaking to reporters, offered vague promises: "I think that we have a civic responsibility to ensure that we are not leaving anybody out to dry. They should not be ones that are simply left as an afterthought of what comes after this." Empty words from a politician who has done little to engage with those directly affected.
Christina Hansen, a veteran New York City horse carriage driver and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 shop steward, confirmed to Fox News Digital that drivers have yet to hear directly from Mamdani. They are being treated "as if we don't matter, as if we don't count," she said. "The only cruelty in the New York City carriage industry has always been the way that the people in it, the way the carriage drivers and carriage owners and stable owners are treated."
While a spokesperson for Menin stated she would remain involved in the transition and invited TWU to a working group, the practicalities for the horses are equally concerning. With the city expecting horses to go to rescues or sanctuaries, Hansen warned that these facilities already struggle with declining donations and limited resources. Once the national attention inevitably fades, these animals, supposedly protected, could be left in far worse conditions.
This isn't the first time New York City's progressive establishment has tried to ban horse-drawn carriages. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio made a similar pledge in 2014, proposing electric cars as an alternative. Like other attempts before it, that effort failed, showing a consistent progressive desire to erase tradition.
Hansen urged Mamdani to meet with the drivers or their horses, believing a different perspective might emerge. "He hasn't and he probably won't, because he'd get so much blowback on social media or whatever," she observed, highlighting the cowardice of politicians who prioritize optics over direct engagement.
Riccobono made it clear that the fight is far from over, vowing to challenge this "unconstitutional" bill. "We're gonna fight for our rights, number one, we're gonna fight for our horses, and we're gonna fight for fairness and justice," he declared.
This battle for New York City's soul is a stark reminder of the broader struggle playing out across America. It’s a fight for individual liberty, for the right to earn a living without government overreach, and for the preservation of cherished traditions against a radical left determined to redefine our culture and heritage. True American values demand we stand with these working families and their horses, protecting their legacy from the progressive wrecking ball.
