A free screening of award-winning documentary "Blinders," exposing the cruelty of NYC's horse drawn carriages. Sponsored by the Asheville Voice for Animals.

Throughout the year, tourists from around the world travel to Central Park to ride in one of New York’s famous horse-drawn carriages. Yet the future of this industry is the subject of a highly charged debate being aired on the streets, in the press and at City Hall. Carriage operators say that horse-drawn carriages should stay because they are a cherished symbol of New York City that bring in tourist dollars. Animal rights activists say the industry should be banned because it’s inhumane and unsafe. They believe Hollywood has romanticized horse-drawn carriages and claim that life on congested city streets is anything but romantic for nervous, prey animals. 

As a result of three fatal accidents since 2006 and a bill introduced at City Hall to ban horse-drawn carriages from NYC, the plight of the NYC carriage horses is now in the public eye more than ever before. But the public doesn’t know much more than what they see on the streets and in the news.

Through original footage taken with hidden cameras and interviews with carriage drivers, veterinarians, accident witnesses, animal rights activists, politicians, tourists, residents who live near the horses and people who have rescued NYC carriage horses from slaughter, BLINDERS takes viewers behind the scenes to expose the truth behind the tradition.

www.blindersthemovie.com