Interview by Morgan Pehme, Editor in Chief, City and State

August 2, 2014

Actress Kathy Najimy first came to public consciousness in her multiple-character ’80s Off Broadway cult hit The Kathy & Mo Show. She soon became a familiar comic scene-stealer in films like Sister Act and sitcoms like Veronica’s Closet, King of the Hill, The Big C and, most recently, Veep.

All throughout her career, Najimy has also been a passionate advocate for a wide spectrum of issues, including women’s and girls’ rights, AIDS awareness and animal rights. For her activism, Ms. Magazinehas named Najimy its Woman of the Year, and she has received accolades such as the L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center’s Distinguished Achievement award and PETA’s Humanitarian of the Year award, which was presented to her by Paul McCartney. In recent years, Najimy has used her star power to push for a ban of New York City’s horse-drawn carriages. City & StateEditor Morgan Pehme spoke with Najimy about how she got involved with the cause, her thoughts on Liam Neeson’s support of the carriages and whether there is any excuse she would accept from Mayor Bill de Blasio if he fails to follow through on his campaign promise to abolish them.

What: Council Members arriving at City Hall tomorrow will be greeted by NYCLASS supporters lobbying for the removal of horse carriages from New York City streets. Horse advocates will urge Council Members to support the mayor's efforts to end the unsafe and inhumane carriage horse industry.

According to the Mayor's office and the ASPCA, NYPD officials suspended horse carriage operations due to high temperatures yesterday at 12:37 pm. During the suspension, carriage driver and industry spokesperson Christina Hansen is seen on the below video operating her horse carriage at 1:54 pm yesterday.

Report: Electric Vehicles Proven to be Safer Alternative to Horse Carriages

A safety report from Harley Holt & Associates concludes that:

"NYCLASS believes every effort should be made to spare the bear's life so it can be returned to the wild. We are hoping for a non-lethal resolution to this matter. In addition to our efforts, PETA and Friends of Animals have offered to help safely relocate the bear."

-NYCLASS

What: Dozens of supporters of NYCLASS and PETA will protest the opening of the new carriage industry propaganda film narrated by Liam Neeson tonight in the East Village. Liam Neeson – who's nanny's husband is a carriage driver – has been an outspoken defender of the unsafe and inhumane practice of using horse carriages in busy New York streets and this protest follows similar actions outside the actor's New York City home in April.