Ali Salih, an Iraqi refugee and pedicab driver, shares his harrowing journey from Baghdad to New York City. Initially, he welcomed the U.S. Army’s arrival in Iraq, hoping for a better future free from Saddam Hussein’s tyranny. However, the promised safety and prosperity did not materialize, leading to widespread violence and loss. Witnessing the death of friends and family, and the destruction of his surroundings, Ali decided to leave Iraq. In 2007, he moved to Jordan and applied for refugee status in the U.S., arriving at Kennedy Airport in April 2008.
For the past eight years, Ali has worked tirelessly as a pedicab driver, working seven days a week to support his family back in Iraq, including sending money for basic necessities to his mother and supporting his disabled brother who was injured in the war. Ali’s job is not just a means of livelihood; it’s a lifeline for his family in Iraq. The recent proposal by Mayor de Blasio to restrict carriage horses to Central Park, effectively limiting pedicab access to areas below 85th Street where Ali primarily operates, threatens his only source of income. Ali argues that this move would devastate his and other pedicab drivers’ lives, equating the loss of livelihood to death, as it would strip them of their ability to provide for their families.
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