Tomorrow Jon and I are going to NYC for the day to join in the rally to support the NYC Carriage Drivers and Horses now that the mayor has introduced a bill to ban them.
The thing that struck me the first time I went to the stables to see the Carriage horses in New York, besides the gentle manner of the giant horses, was the connection between them and the people who work with and take care of them. It was so beautiful to witness I can’t imagine how anyone would want to do anything to disrupt or end such a relationship. There was love and respect and trust and joy.
So I’m thrilled to be a part of trying to protect the lives and livelihoods of the both the people and horses. I’ve seen the anger that comes from the people who protest the carriage drivers in person and on video. It seems to me to have little to do with what they are protesting and about something much deeper and more personal.
Pamela Rickenbach, from Blue Star Equiculture, will be bringing a couple of the Restore the Bond fleece blankets made from the wallhanging I designed for her. We’ll hold them up and pass out cards with the image on it supporting the connection between people and horses, and in this instance particularly, the Carriage Drivers and their horses.
I’m not sure what to expect, I haven’t done a lot of this type of thing before, but I’m happy to be able to do my part for something I strongly believe in.
Wish I could make this rally. There with you all in spirit!
Good for you Maria, you have to support what you believe in…I’m with you!!
I’ll be with you in spirit today. I like that you and Pamela will be holding up the blankets, handing out cards with the image of your wall hanging. For years I attended and videotaped many rallies for Native rights so this is 2nd nature for me. We had a few at the UN in NY. Always peaceful and with good speakers. My favorite gathering was in Kansas City where Native people on horseback led the demonstration followed by hundreds of Belgian folks who were part of Walk Across America for Mother Earth. The visuals for that day were astounding – the horses leading the way. The media was all over it. I was across the street videotaping and it took my breath away. Your rally today is important and I hope there is a tremendous turnout for the horses and the carriage industry. The Teamsters will make it a good one. Enjoy the experience.
Maria, to repeat my message more publicly, how ironic that the Carriage Trade rally was held in New York City yesterday, Mon. Dec. 8th, when Prince William and his wife are in New York city, the prince flying to meet with President Obama on that day (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-30353278) to speak on the illegal trade of wildlife now being threatened in the world and here right on their very doorstep is the same thing going on basically although of another nature. I cannot believe the mayor, whose wife met with the Duchess of Cambridge yesterday and toured her around the city, could be so ignorant as to not see how important the image of Carriage Horses in Central Park is so unique when he could be doing all he can to encourage and support these people, if not for the tourist attraction and trade alone. I suspect his motives are driven solely on the backs of PETA, an unscrupulous, misguided group of ‘do-gooders’ who rally around a concept without knowing of the organization itself. PETA is on the radar of the US Govt. but smart enough to evade being caught tax-wise, money-wise, for what they do, so far. And real estate in New York City is limited. This whole thing is money-driven by misguided people whose concepts are based on nothing more than false claims. I hope the Teamsters Union puts equal pressure on that sadly misguided puppet of a mayor of NYCity.
Sandy P in Ontario, Canada