Actor Liam Neeson criticized New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign against horse-drawn carriages on Sunday, arguing that the popular tourist attraction is part of the city’s history.
“I've been walking in the streets of Central Park for a few hours, five days a week, for 20 years,” the Irish actor told drivers and Teamsters Union members at the Clinton Park Stables, the New York Post reported. “I know some of the drivers, and I’ve seen the joy these tourists get. We can’t put a dollar amount on what that does for the tourist industry.
“This is an industry that’s been here since before Abraham Lincoln’s first inauguration,” he said. “It’s a connection with our past. It’s a connection with our history.”
Mr. Neeson said he was “disappointed” that the mayor didn’t attend the event.
“He should have manned up and come,” he said.
Mr. de Blasio said he planned to visit the stables as soon as his schedule allowed, the Post reported. On MSNBC, he said he plans to meet with Mr. Neeson.
“I am a Liam Neeson fan. I am,” he said Monday. “Horses in the streets of the city today don’t make sense. They’ve been banned in cities all over the world. We’re going to fix it. But I will spend time with Liam Neeson. He’s a great actor.”
