Advocates and elected officials held a vigil Monday to honor 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, who was killed last week after a horse pulling a carriage carrying him and his family bolted through Central Park.
Mahajan’s death has renewed the push for an end to horse-drawn carriages.
“No family should ever travel to New York City for vacation and return home mourning,” City Council Member Christopher Marte said at the vigil.
What You Need To Know
Advocates and elected officials held a vigil Monday to honor 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan
Mahajan was killed last week after a horse pulling a carriage carrying him and his family bolted through Central Park
His death came days after another incident when a carriage horse died in the park after eating a toxic shrub
Elected officials and animal rights advocates — including New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets, also known as NYCLASS — have been pushing for a ban on horse carriage rides for years.
“No amount of regulation or reform can prevent the next horse from spooking and killing someone,” NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant said.
As part of the renewed push, Marte wants the immediate passage of Ryder’s Law, which is his City Council bill that would end the industry and transition the carriage drivers to new jobs.
Marte changed the name of the bill to Romanch’s Law in honor of the 18-year-old.
Mahajan’s death came days after another incident when a carriage horse died in the park after eating a toxic shrub.
The Transport Workers Union, also known as TWU Local 100 — which represents drivers — took steps last week to address public safety in the park, including suspending horse carriage operations until Tuesday and adding training for the more than 68 carriage drivers.
At the vigil, Marte read a statement from Mahajan’s family members, who don’t want the carriages rolling again.
“This is a profound insult to our family, and a direct threat to public safety of every tourist and resident of New York City,” the statement read.
TWU Local 100 says it has been holding group meetings with carriage drivers to over safety rules and protocols around carriage operations.
The union says passenger rides will resume on Tuesday, but will have representatives at the carriage stands to ensure driver safety.
“Our discussions with drivers and carriage owners over the last four days has reinforced our belief that hitching posts should be installed in the park. This is a commonsense safety upgrade that would enable drivers to tether their horses and prevent them from straying. We have suggested hitching posts as a preventative measure for years,” TWU wrote in a statement.
Mahajan’s family is also calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to take action to end the industry and to create a memorial to honor their loved one’s life.
Marte and others at the vigil believe trainings are not enough. There will be a City Council hearing on July 15 for the bill.