Liam Neeson has inspired the rage of dozens of horse-loving activists after his comments supporting horse-drawn carriage rides in New York City.
Liam Neeson slammed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's proposed ban on all horse-drawn carriages in NYC when he appeared on The Daily Show in February. TheCelebrityCafe.com reported that Neeson defended the rights of the carriage owners, saying they treat the horses "like children."
Horse activists are not pleased with Neeson's comments, and are now picketing outside of his NYC home. The Huffington Post reports that roughly 50 demonstrators stood outside holding large signs bearing slogans such as "Liam Neeson: Stop Supporting Cruelty!" and "Worked to Death!" complete with a picture of a dead horse.
Activists claim that working in the city puts the animals at risk for being hit by a car and is unnecessarily cruel. Peter Wood, animal rights investigator, was present at the picketing. "Horses don't belong in traffic, surrounded by buses. They don't belong in the city; it's outdated, it's cruel," he said, adding, "Life attached to a carriage with a poop bag attached to your rear end — that's no life." Neeson has repeatedly hit back at activists, going so far as to tour the stables himself and pen editorials on the subject. "It has been my experience, always, that horses, much like humans, are at their happiest and healthiest when working," said Neeson.
Liam Neeson did not make an appearance at the picketing.