A horse lays in the road exhausted by heat while it is strapped to a carriage full of people

CCHA Supporters:

We’re building a growing movement to fight for the humane treatment of Charleston’s working horses and mules. One way we’re doing that is by pushing for an alternative to horse-drawn carriage tours.

Thanks to local entrepreneur Kyle Kelly, who recently unveiled an all-electric carriage, Charleston now has that alternative. But Kyle still needs the City of Charleston to approve the use of the e-carriage on city streets and allow him to provide tours.

Today, we launch a campaign to lobby the Charleston Tourism Commission to approve the use of e-carriages. We are gathering a group of local citizens to show up in person at Tourism Commission meetings this year to let them know we want e-carriages on our streets!

 

Here are the details: 

When is the meeting? 

Wednesday, April 26, at 5 pm. Here are the meeting dates for the rest of the year, so you can block your calendar:

  • Wednesday, June 28, 5 pm

  • Wednesday, August 23, 5 pm

  • Wednesday, October 25, 5 pm

  • Wednesday, December 27, 5 pm

Where is the meeting? 

75 Calhoun Street (Charleston County School District building)

HR Training Room, Third Floor

Please meet in front of the building at 4:45 pm so we can enter as a group. A member of CCHA will be waiting! (Can’t make it early? No problem! Just go straight to the HR Training Room on the third floor.)

What do I need to do? 

At the start of the meeting, there will be time for public comments. This is where you come in. We are asking everyone who arrives to speak. You will only have 30 seconds to speak. Here is all you need to say:

  • My name is Emily. I support the newly unveiled electric carriage and am asking the Commission to please allow the e-carriage to provide city tours. It is safe and eco-friendly. Charlestonians want an alternative to horses and mules working in our streets. Thank you.

We will also have print-outs of this message available at the event if you forget what to say.

Want to learn more? Read on for more details.

What is the Tourism Commission? 

The Tourism Commission is part of the Tourism Division, which serves as a liaison between the tourism industry and the city’s residents while enforcing the tourism ordinance. Part of their responsibilities includes tour guide certification and the certification of tour vehicles, including buses and carriages.

Why are we focused on the e-carriage? 

Our mission is to educate the public on the plight of carriage horses in Charleston in an effort to foster more humane treatment of the animals, and to do all things necessary or convenient, and not inconsistent with the law, to further these goals. One way we can further this goal is to provide safe and effective alternatives to horse-drawn carriages.

What if I can’t make it to the event? 

You can still make your voice heard. Submit your comments in writing at http://innovate.charleston-sc.gov/comments/. Your comments must be received by noon on Tuesday, April 25.

How else can I help? 

Help us spread the word. Forward this email to your friends and family who care about animals and ask them to join us. Also, you can follow along on social media and repost, share, and comment to help us spread the word.

What if I still have questions? 

Please reach out to us at [email protected].

Thank you for being a voice for the voiceless. We’ll see you on April 26!

The Charleston Carriage Horse Advocates