BREAKING NEWS: A historic vote could end New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry—and influence the future of carriage horses nationwide. Advocates, including NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant, are rallying at City Hall ahead of the October 22 City Council vote on Romanch’s Law. Supported by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and a majority of Council members as co-sponsors, the proposal would end regular carriage operations on June 1, 2028. It honors Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old tourist who, according to his father, died trying to save his mother during a runaway-carriage incident. His family has filed a $50 million notice of claim against the city. The drivers’ union continues to oppose the proposal, citing the threat to hundreds of workers’ livelihoods.

Reporter Rachel Ejsmont brings us live coverage from the scene, while carriage-horse advocate Jodie Wiederkehr joins us in the studio. We examine safe retirement for the horses, protections against transfers for slaughter, and the bill’s requirement for a worker transition plan by April 1, 2027. Compensation for carriage operators would be considered, but is not guaranteed. We also explore electric carriages—already operating in other cities—as a possible way to continue carriage-style tourism without using horses. The vote remains pending as we cover this potentially historic turning point. Hosted by Lindsey Baker for UnchainedTV.