Ashley Byrne

Director of Outreach, Communications @PETA. Road warrior. My days are filled with body paint, fake blood, and vegan donuts. Opinions mine, not my employer's.

[Gaurav Mahajan @gmahajan88]

Thank you @ShaunAbreu @CMShaunAbreu our beloved Romanch is gone but Romanch’s Law will prevent further tragedies so no family ever has to be shattered by a completly preventable and senseless death. We will be at the hearing and we expect the city council to do the right thing.

[Ashley Byrne @ashlovesmongo]

Thank you, @ShaunAbreu 🙏

[Shaun Abreu @ShaunAbreu]

My goddaughter, Jada, said it best: horses belong in fields, not on hot pavement.

Central Park has seen too many tragedies. Let’s pass Romanch’s Law and give the horses and carriage drivers a future they deserve. Proud to stand with @nyclass on their efforts.

[Gaurav Mahajan @gmahajan88]

@TheEquinesVoice @SpeakerMenin @TwuSamuelsen @TWULocal100 @NYCMayor @nyclass @NYCCouncil As Romanch Mahajan’s uncle, our family is shattered. Days after my 18yo nephew was killed, @NYCSpeakerMenin met privately with the union that blocked safety laws, while our pleas go unanswered. You still haven't publicly backed Romanch’s Law. Why? #JusticeForRomanch

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

While TWU President John Samuelsen is meeting behind closed doors with @NYCSpeakerMenin to lobby against Romanch’s Law, legislation aimed at preventing another tragedy like the one that took Romanch Mahajan’s life, this video exposes the truth behind TWU’s empty promises.

Just days after 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was tragically killed while desperately trying to save his mother after she was thrown from an out-of-control horse-drawn carriage, and after TWU claimed drivers had been retrained and “extraordinary measures” had been implemented, carriage drivers were still engaging in the very conduct TWU said contributed to the tragedy and vowed would *never* happen again: leaving horses unattended and walking away from horses with passengers still in the carriage to take photos.

Romanch’s death was the eighth violent runaway or spooking carriage incident in approximately the past year, leaving a trail of injuries, catastrophic crashes, and near fatalities.

Just days ago, Romanch’s family wrote directly to @NYCSpeakerMenin: “We know you have the power to stop this from ever happening again.” They warned that “the danger is active, present, and entirely preventable,” and pleaded, “Do the right thing. Exercise your power and act now to keep people safe by passing Romanch’s Law.”

The truth is that no amount of retraining or new rules can rewrite horse biology. Horses are hardwired to flee when frightened. That is why horses have repeatedly spooked, bolted, and caused catastrophic crashes, even with drivers at the reins.

@NYCSpeakerMenin, you were elected to serve New Yorkers and put public safety first, not the special interests defending an obsolete, deadly practice. As Romanch’s family wrote to you, “No family should ever travel to New York City for a vacation and return home in mourning.” Please make sure no other family does. Pass Romanch’s Law to protect people and horses. @JulieMenin @Lynn4NYC @NYCCouncil @NYCMayor

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

🚨BREAKING: As the City Council prepares for the July 15 hearing on #RomanchsLaw, newly released NYC Department of Health records obtained through FOIL reveal deeply disturbing findings from the first-ever truly independent equine veterinarian appointed under executive order to examine NYC carriage horses.

• Sophia, a 22-year-old carriage horse, was found to be obviously sore on both hind legs. Independent equine veterinarian and lameness expert Dr. Kraig Kulikowski documented enlarged, painful soft tissue in both hind legs, deemed her unsound, and wrote that the stable manager “demonstrated no concern” about her condition.

• Dr. Kulikowski found stalls were often too small for the large draft horses and wrote that the lack of turnout or pasture made those conditions “even more critical.”

• The overwhelming majority of horses examined had scars caused by improperly fitting tack that had traumatized their backs. He concluded: “Findings like that should not be acceptable norms.”

• Carriage horse owners refused to fully cooperate with the independent examinations, declining bloodwork and trotting evaluations requested by the veterinarian.

These documented findings, together with repeated runaway crashes, horses collapsing and dying on NYC streets, and the tragic death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan, underscore why the City Council must pass #RomanchsLaw.

@NYCSpeakerMenin @NYCMayor @Lynn4NYC @OswaldFeliz @JoannAriola32 @CMMercedesCD46 @CarlMichaelW @CnDelarosa @JimGennaro @SimchaFelderNY

https://t.co/GlLoNwgliH

[JoeyTuccio @joey_tuccio]

Nearly every animal abuse case on Skid Row we hear about are told to us by case workers and people living on Skid Row. The city has failed them and they have no where to turn for fear of getting hurt or for fear of losing their job for speaking out.

[PETA @peta]

Folks walking through Midtown Manhattan are seeing more than just ads today.

A towering message bears the image of Deniz, the 16-year-old horse who died days ago in Central Park. We're calling on NYC officials to urgently pass a horse-drawn carriage ban before anyone else dies!

[Robert Holden @BobHoldenNYC]

The animal abuse industry continues as the danger to the public increases…

[JoeyTuccio @joey_tuccio]

When I asked an LA Supervisor why breeding laws are not enforced, I was told that enforcing laws is “culturally insensitive”. These are just 4 of thousands of dogs that are murdered by LA because of that rule.

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

Statement to @NYCMayor from the family of Romanch Mahajan

Dear Mayor Mamdani,

“My name is Gaurav Mahajan the uncle of Romanch Mahajan, the 18-year-old high school graduate who was tragically killed in Central Park last Wednesday.

I am writing to you in a state of absolute disbelief and outrage. The industry responsible for my nephew's death is preparing to resume passenger tours this Tuesday, treating the loss of Romanch’s life as a temporary inconvenience. This is a profound insult to our family and a direct threat to the public safety of every tourist and resident in New York City

You have stated your support for ending this industry. Now is the time to act. We demand that you use the full power of your office to halt the resumption of these rides immediately. Allowing these carriages back onto the streets while our family is planning a funeral proves that the city values an antiquated novelty over human life

We urge you to work with City Council Speaker to shut down these operations permanently before another tragedy occurs. Our family will not rest until these carriages are gone for good.

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

One week after Romanch Mahajan’s death, his family continues to show extraordinary strength in the face of unimaginable loss.

Today, Romanch’s uncle, Gaurav Mahajan, introduced #JusticeforRomanch and called on @SpeakerMenin and @NYCMayor to end horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City.

On July 15, the City Council will hold a hearing on Romanch’s Law. After years of delay and obstruction, the Council has a chance to finally do the right thing and prevent the next tragedy. Romanch’s family is calling for horse-drawn carriage rides to be banned. New Yorkers have been calling for the same for years. The Council now has the opportunity to finally deliver.

[Gaurav Mahajan @gmahajan88]

#JusticeforRomanch-Time to take action! Ban the horse carriage rides.

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

The strongest words of the morning came from Mahajan’s family, who said they were outraged that carriage rides were expected to resume in Central Park on Tuesday, less than a week after the fatal crash.

The industry responsible for my nephew’s death is preparing to resume passenger tours this Tuesday, treating the loss of Romanch’s life as a temporary inconvenience,” Marte read from the family’s statement. “This is a profound insult to our family and a direct threat to public safety of every tourist and resident in New York City.”

The family called on @NYCMayor to use “the full power” of his office to halt the resumption of rides immediately. “Allowing horse carriages back onto the streets, while our family is planning a funeral, proves that the city values tourism over human life,” the family said. “We urge you to work with the City Council Speaker to shut down these operations permanently before another tragedy occurs.”

https://t.co/5qQRlnKlNj

[Spectrum News NY1 @NY1]

During a vigil Monday, City Council Member Christopher Marte read statements from the family of Romanch Mahajan, an 18-year-old visitor from India who was killed last week after a horse pulling a carriage carrying him and his family bolted through Central Park.

Mahajan’s family condemned the planned resumption of carriage rides this week. They are calling on Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the City Council to ban horse-drawn carriages permanently.

“This is a profound insult to our family and a direct threat to public safety of every tourist and resident in New York City,” the family's statement read.

Transport Workers Union Local 100, which represents carriage drivers and owners, said it has been implementing a series of safety measures in the wake of Mahajan’s death.

“We continue to keep the family of Romanch Mahajan in our prayers. Words can’t express the enormity of this tragedy,” the union said in a statement Friday.

“We are continuing refresher training with drivers today stressing best practices and safety protocols,” it added in a statement Monday.

[Central Park @CentralParkNYC]

We're devastated by yesterday’s incident in Central Park, and encouraged by @SpeakerMenin's call to convene a hearing on the future of horse carriages in July.

We renew our support for Ryder’s Law, banning carriages & providing job placement for drivers.

https://t.co/L6NtsyhzDZ

[Robert Holden @BobHoldenNYC]

My bill, Ryder’s Law, was shamefully blocked by the former Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, she has blood on her hands and should never be elected to office again!

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

We are devastated by the death of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan following today’s carriage horse incident in Central Park. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this heartbreaking time.

Thank you, @SpeakerMenin, for your leadership and for scheduling a hearing on Ryder’s Law in July. We know that meaningful change requires action, and we are so grateful that you are moving this legislation forward.

Ryder’s Law provides a path to permanently end New York City’s horse-drawn carriage industry and prevent future tragedies. We stand ready to work with you to help get it across the finish line.

[Brad Hoylman-Sigal 🌈🥯 @bradhoylman]

Today, a family is grieving the loss of their 18-year-old son after a horse-drawn carriage overturned in Central Park. My heart goes out to them in this unimaginable loss.

This was an avoidable tragedy. The status quo cannot continue.

[Reza Chowdhury @RezaC1]

@nytimes It's a good time to remember that current LT Gubernatorial candidate Adrienne Adams, immediate past speaker of the New York City Council, refused to allow debate on legislation to ban these horses for FOUR straight years.

[PETA @peta]

Just one week after Deniz the horse DIED in Central Park, now this?! At least two carriages were involved. A horse, passengers & a pedestrian were injured 💔 Pass Ryder’s Law & BAN horse-drawn carriages in NYC 🎥 @nyclass