Rally at City Hall pushes for 'Flaco’s Laws' to protect NYC birds
The rally, organized by the Lights Out Coalition, brought together City Council members, union workers, artists and even celebrities, all in support of measures that could save thousands of birds each year.
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A group of advocates gathered at City Hall Wednesday, rallying for the passage of Flaco’s Laws, a legislative package aimed at protecting birds from deadly window collisions in New York City.
The rally, organized by the Lights Out Coalition, brought together City Council members, union workers, artists and even celebrities, all in support of measures that could save thousands of birds each year.
“One billion birds die from building collisions each year in the United States, at least 250,000 of them here in NYC alone,” said Kathy Nizzari, founder and chair of the Lights Out Coalition.
At the heart of the rally was Intro 1073, a bill that would require certain buildings to use bird-friendly glass to prevent collisions. The package also includes a law that would turn off unnecessary lights at night, another measure proven to protect birds. The legislation is named after Flaco, the famous owl who escaped from the Central Park Zoo earlier this year but tragically died after flying into a window.
“Other buildings have already done this on their own,” said Edita Birnkrant, executive director of NYCLASS. “You just put a film on the inside of the window, something with dots, so the birds can see the glass.”
Supporters of the legislation say New York City should follow the lead of countries like Canada and those in Europe, where bird safety laws are already in place. Backing from unions, including the Glaziers Union, has added momentum to the movement.
Actress and bird advocate Lili Taylor, who attended the rally, spoke passionately about the invisible toll bird strikes take on wildlife in the city.
“There’s so much happening that we can’t see. And unless you are walking around in the early morning in New York City, and you see the little birds...trying to make it home, and they’ve died unnecessarily because they flew into glass," says Taylor.
NYC Council Member Tiffany Cabán highlighted the dual benefits of the legislation.
“Everybody at home knows that they're concerned about the climate crisis, right? Well, this is an important piece of that. And on top of that, it couldn't get any better because it brings good-paying, strong union jobs to the table, too,” said Caban.
The next step for the supporters of Flaco’s Laws is to get the bills heard in a council committee.
They hope the package will soon be passed into law, potentially saving around 250,000 birds in New York City each year.
