Melissa Gilbert labels NYC council member ‘harsh’ regarding horse carriage legislation

Melissa Gilbert Criticizes NYC Council President Over Horse-Drawn Carriage Bill

This week, actress Melissa Gilbert took to social media to criticize New York City Council President Adrian Adams, labeling him as “cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.” Her remarks come in response to a proposed bill aimed at phasing out horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, set to take effect next year.

In a video addressed to Adams, she expressed frustration, stating that he is “single-handedly blocking the Ryder Act.” She accused him of stifling public hearings on the law, saying, “This is unacceptably cruel, corrupt, and undemocratic.”

“The people of New York deserve a fair hearing,” the 61-year-old actress asserted in her video. “We know that the majority of New Yorkers support the Ryder Act, as does the Central Park Conservancy. Meanwhile, horses are suffering; they’re falling and, tragically, some are dying. There have even been incidents where they injure people.”

Gilbert urged, “Speaker Adams, this madness has to stop. As a New Yorker, I implore you to schedule a public hearing so the community can weigh in on the Ryder Act.”

The Ryder Act proposes to gradually eliminate horse-drawn carriages in New York City by June 2026, intending to replace them with electric alternatives. The bill also aims to prevent selling horses elsewhere for slaughter or carriage purposes.

Notably, Gilbert isn’t alone in her support for the Ryder Act. This legislation is named after a horse that collapsed and died during a hot August day in Manhattan in 2022. Several other celebrities, including Kathy Najimy, Marisa Tomei, Joaquin Phoenix, Billie Eilish, and Christopher Walken, have also voiced their support for the initiative.

Earlier this September, “The Sopranos” star Edie Falco sent a letter to Adams urging him to cease blocking progress on the Ryder Act, expressing concern over the welfare of the horses involved.

However, the issue isn’t without controversy. Alexus Lawson, a carriage driver from New York, countered Gilbert’s stance, suggesting that those concerned about horse welfare might be aiming their efforts in the wrong direction. She emphasized her lifelong commitment to working with and caring for horses.