The Teamsters union, which now represents about 1,000 cabbies, is demanding an apology from Mayor Vince Gray for comments his spokesman made Wednesday to Washingtonian after they filed a lawsuit against the city seeking to stop enforcement of regulations requiring credit card readers and new rooftop lamps.
For the past few years the drivers have been their own worst enemy,” Gray spokesman Pedro Ribeiro said. “We barely have a third-world taxicab system in this city.”
In a press release, the Teamsters say Ribeiro “insulted every driver in the city with his remark.” “The statement is offensive and it demeans the more than 6,000 taxicab drivers in the District, many of whom are from developing countries in Africa and the Middle East,” the statement reads.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Taxi Drivers Demand Apology From Mayor Gray’s Office Over “Third-World” Remark
Comments made by Gray’s spokesman to Washingtonian spark anger from cabbies and Teamsters.
The Teamsters union, which now represents about 1,000 cabbies, is demanding an apology from Mayor Vince Gray for comments his spokesman made Wednesday to Washingtonian after they filed a lawsuit against the city seeking to stop enforcement of regulations requiring credit card readers and new rooftop lamps.
For the past few years the drivers have been their own worst enemy,” Gray spokesman Pedro Ribeiro said. “We barely have a third-world taxicab system in this city.”
In a press release, the Teamsters say Ribeiro “insulted every driver in the city with his remark.” “The statement is offensive and it demeans the more than 6,000 taxicab drivers in the District, many of whom are from developing countries in Africa and the Middle East,” the statement reads.
Don’t Miss Another Big Story—Get Our Weekend Newsletter
Our most popular stories of the week, sent every Saturday.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Trump Hotel Employees Reveal What It Was Really Like Catering to the Right Wing Elite
March 4 Isn’t the Only Date on the QAnon Calendar
The Bulwark Was Founded to Oppose Trump. Now What?
Report Claims NFL Investigation Recommends Dan Snyder Be Forced to Sell
Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff Hung Out on Capitol Hill Yesterday
Washingtonian Magazine
March 2021: The Influencers
View IssueSubscribe
Get Us on Social
Get Us on Social
Related
Video From Fall Real Estate Market Update With Local Leaders
Washingtonian Real Estate Virtual Happy Hour
Videos from Washingtonian’s Wellness Day
Washingtonian Wellness Day
More from News & Politics
A New DC Program Lets Housebound Seniors Sign Up for Zoom Sessions with Rescue Animals
Axios Political Reporter Alexi McCammond is Teen Vogue’s New Editor
Report Claims NFL Investigation Recommends Dan Snyder Be Forced to Sell
Today’s Vaccine Signup Was Messy Again. Next Week Doesn’t Look Promising.
A DC Experiment in Direct Cash Transfers to Fight Poverty
The Capitol Police’s Request to Retain the National Guard Took DC Officials by Surprise
DC’s Covid Vaccine Appointments Were Filled in Under 10 Minutes This Morning
Chasten Buttigieg and Doug Emhoff Hung Out on Capitol Hill Yesterday