Central Park carriage horse dispute intensifies as union faces defamation accusations.

The ongoing debate surrounding Central Park’s carriage horses is intensifying, as animal rights advocates threaten legal action against the Transport Workers Union (TWU) for alleged defamation. The controversy escalated following assertions from TWU leaders, including John Samuelsen and Local 100 president John Chiarello, suggesting that New Yorkers for Clean Livable and Safe Streets (NYCLASS) is connected to real estate interests with aspirations to develop the West Side of Manhattan.

In a recent communication, NYCLASS attorneys demanded that the union cease any further dissemination of what they describe as misleading statements about the organization and its leadership. The union’s comments have raised concerns among NYCLASS representatives, who argue that the TWU’s rhetoric is an attempt to undermine their efforts to end what they consider the inhumane horse-drawn carriage industry.

The situation has drawn considerable public attention, particularly after New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced his support for legislation aimed at phasing out the horse-drawn carriage trade. This stance aligns with calls from various city officials, including Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams, who have advocated for an end to the practice due to animal welfare concerns.

In response to the union’s allegations, Samuelsen controversially compared Mayor Adams to Judas Iscariot, accusing NYCLASS of having deep ties to Manhattan real estate developers. He contends that the group’s lobbying efforts are less about animal welfare and more focused on acquiring valuable land currently occupied by carriage horse stables. Instances from 2017 have been cited to support this claim, including lobbying efforts made by Steve Nislick, the founder of NYCLASS, to the previous de Blasio administration for a ban on carriage horses while simultaneously proposing development projects for the same area.

Nislick has vigorously denied the allegations against him and has expressed a firm commitment not to acquire land associated with the carriage industry, even offering specific financial penalties should he be found to violate this pledge.

Both parties anticipate further developments, with the possibility of a defamation lawsuit looming as they continue to exchange accusations. Samuelsen has stated that he is unfazed by the threats of legal action, declaring his readiness to engage in a legal battle that would compel NYCLASS to disclose its internal communications as part of the discovery process. As the dispute unfolds, it underscores the broader tensions between animal rights advocates and unions representing the interests of workers within a rapidly changing urban landscape.

The outcome of this confrontation will likely have significant implications for both the future of carriage horses in Central Park and the ongoing discourse around urban development and animal welfare in New York City.