John Phillips

East Village, NYC. 🌱-powered & 🌈. He/him. #BlackLivesMatter

[Brad Hoylman-Sigal 🌈🥯 @bradhoylman]

Yesterday, I testified before the City Council in support of Romanch's Law.

Today, I'm releasing my office's analysis of 44 years of data on New York City's horse carriage industry because decisions like these should be informed by evidence.

Read the report: https://t.co/LjBRrBk5Kx

[Erik Bottcher @ebottcher]

Testifying at City Council hearing on Horse Carriage Ban

[New York City Council @NYCCouncil]

18-year-old Romanch Mahajan came to NYC to celebrate his graduation. He didn't make it home.

Today, the Council is holding a hearing on Romanch's Law to phase out horse-drawn carriages.

[New York City Council @NYCCouncil]

More voices from today's hearing on Romanch's Law, which would ban horse carriages in NYC:

[Brad Hoylman-Sigal 🌈🥯 @bradhoylman]

I just testified in front of the City Council in support of Romanch’s Law, which will phase out horse carriages from Central Park.

The status quo is unacceptable, and I urge my City Council colleagues to pass this bill swiftly into law.

[Jose Martinez @JMartinezNYC]

“A version of this law sat before this council last year and if it had passed, the carriages would have stopped on June 1, 2026.”

“Romanch died on June 17.”

On horse carriages, Central Park and 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan. NEW in @THECITYNY https://t.co/5LRPO2Ek02

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

🐴BREAKING NEWS: We have just received a MAJORITY of cosponsors for Romanchs’s Law to ban deadly horse carriages! We currently have 26 cosponsors with many more pledging to sign on! We are grateful to @SpeakerMenin @Lynn4NYC and the Mahajan family, hundreds of New Yorkers, horse experts, veterinarians, and others who testified today and who are still waiting to speak right now!

We eagerly await a full vote in @NYCCouncil ASAP so we can prevent further tragedies and create a safer, kinder City for all. Stay tuned! 🐴

[New York City Council @NYCCouncil]

Voices from today's hearings on Romanch's Law, which would ban horse carriages in NYC:

[New York City Council @NYCCouncil]

🔴 LIVE: Rally for Romanch’s Law to End Horse-Drawn Carriages in Central Park https://t.co/TZmf7eaxtA

[Central Park @CentralParkNYC]

We are immensely grateful for @SpeakerMenin's breakthrough leadership on an issue city leaders have been grappling with for decades. It demonstrates a profound commitment to public safety, and reflects the will of more than two-thirds of New Yorkers, who want to see an end to horse-drawn carriages in Central Park.

We’re confident in Speaker Menin's ability to lead a responsible transition, accounting for the well-being of carriage drivers, horses, and everyone else in our community.

[Speaker Julie Menin @SpeakerMenin]

Last month, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan was killed after he was thrown from a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park.

While there is nothing we can do to change the tragedy of his death, passing a law to transition away from horse-drawn carriages is one way to keep his blessed memory alive.

[NYCLASS @nyclass]

Statement from New Yorkers for Clean, Livable, and Safe Streets Executive Director Edita Birnkrant:

"Speaker Menin, you have made history by being the first Speaker to ever take this momentous step to stand up for public safety and animal protection in our modern New York City and ensure that there will never be another completely preventable tragedy like the one that took the life of 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan in June after a horse spooked and bolted through Central Park. 

We are overjoyed and offer you the highest praise. This is an issue that has stymied every Council Speaker for the last 20 years, and you are the first to get it done, as we knew only you could do. In this critical moment, we applaud your vision, fortitude, acumen and commitment to finally ending the deadly and inhumane horse carriage industry and moving NYC forward. 

We applaud your leadership in recognizing that the basic model of the horse carriage industry is unsafe, and that no amount of regulation can stop a frightened horse from injuring or killing another passenger, pedestrian, carriage driver, cyclist or child. New York City can now join metropolises like Philadelphia, Chicago, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Montreal, Toronto, London, Paris, Mumbai and Barcelona in banning the obsolete practice. 

Your actions honor the life of Romanch Mahajan and all who have been harmed by this archaic industry, as well as all of the horses that have suffered and died doing this cruel work. This summer the effects of oppressive heat have been visceral to us all, and the need to move these horses to humane sanctuaries where they can be well-cared for is clear. Your efforts will prevent future tragedy, help move carriage workers into more secure jobs with guaranteed salaries and  benefits and allow New Yorkers and visitors to more safely experience all the energy, nature and culture our city has to offer. 

The entire animal welfare community—not just in NYC—salutes you, and we look forward to working with you to ensure the Council turns this bill into law as quickly as possible."

[Speaker Julie Menin @SpeakerMenin]

Today, I'm announcing my support for Romanch's Law.

It's time for New York City to begin the transition away from horse-drawn carriages in Central Park — for the safety of New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves.

[John Phillips @jpvegan]

Bravo! Get it done! Thank you so much! @nyclass

[Speaker Julie Menin @SpeakerMenin]

Today, I'm announcing my support for Romanch's Law.

It's time for New York City to begin the transition away from horse-drawn carriages in Central Park — for the safety of New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves.

[Gaurav Mahajan @gmahajan88]

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

[Eyewitness News @ABC7NY]

At a vigil in Central Park on Monday, a statement from the family of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who was killed in a carriage horse incident last week, was read. "No family should ever travel to New York City for vacation and return home mourning," the family said. More: https://t.co/deLjhDJ53M

[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!

[John Phillips @jpvegan]

Devastating.

[ABC News @ABC]

LATEST: New York City police say an 18-year-old man who fell from a horse carriage on Wednesday has died from his injuries. https://t.co/osnMrLQ6Z0

[Justin Brannan @JustinBrannan]

We're not talking seriously about climate change unless we're talking about the effects of animal agriculture on our planet. The breeding & raising of animals for meat contributes to more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation industry combined! Viva @NewYorkStateAG!

[NY AG James @NewYorkStateAG]

I'm suing @JBSFoodsUSA, the world's largest beef producer, for misleading the public about its environmental impact.

The beef industry is one of the largest contributors to climate change, and JBS has falsely advertised its commitment to sustainability and endangered our planet.