A member of the Minneapolis City Council recently found himself the target of online ridicule after advocating for “cat lovers.” He claimed that Waymo’s self-driving cars are harming cats and pushed for regulations requiring human drivers in these autonomous vehicles.
“I’ll just say it—cats have been killed, and it’s been by these self-driving cars,” Jason Chavez stated during a council meeting. “I have a cat myself, and I’d really prefer not to see my cat become another victim of these vehicles.” He went on to emphasize that, “For all the cat lovers out there, it’s important to recognize that these Waymo vehicles have taken the lives of cats, which is, quite simply, unfair.” Chavez described an emotional video he watched, stating it was quite distressing and depicted cats being killed by these cars.
The city council narrowly passed an ordinance aimed at mandating human operators and special licenses for all autonomous vehicles, though its future is still up in the air. Mayor Jacob Frey has indicated he intends to veto the proposal, arguing that it “doesn’t make sense.” He emphasized the city’s commitment to adopting “innovative technology,” including various transportation methods. While he acknowledged some safety concerns, Frey noted he does not support what he referred to as a “backdoor ban” on these vehicles.
As Waymo cars, equipped with sensors and often seen with empty seats, become increasingly common, supporters express concern that requiring human operators would essentially eliminate autonomous taxi services, leading to higher fares. Conversely, critics argue that the technology presents safety risks and potentially eliminates jobs.
Many on social media quickly reacted to Chavez’s comments about cats, suggesting he was overstating the issue and diverting attention from more critical matters facing Minneapolis. One columnist made a pointed observation that “The Minneapolis City Council is prioritizing human drivers in self-driving cars because of the supposed murder of cats.” He also noted that Chavez, who earns a substantial salary, seemed out of touch with reality.
Critiques of Chavez escalated with remarks labeling the situation as a “cat genocide” and calls for concern about the “robot cars” allegedly endangering cats. Others pointed out that instead of focusing on this issue, the council should be tackling more significant problems like crime and financial fraud, considering the context of past events in the city.
In a separate discussion, some online users highlighted their experiences with self-driving technology, claiming it was capable of safely navigating around animals. One individual described how a self-driving Tesla avoids obstacles like cats, questioning the validity of Chavez’s assertions.
The ongoing debate reflects broader conversations about the implementation of autonomous technology in urban settings and its societal implications.
