Photo Essay
The NYC taxi drivers’ hunger strike, in photos
After taxi medallions plummeted in value, New York cabbies left with impossible loans have won debt relief from the city
Scienceline
Kuber Sancho-Persad holds his late father's taxi medallion number at a protest. Many New York City taxi drivers and their families owe more money for their medallions than they are worth now. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
A memorial outside New York’s City Hall lists the names of taxi drivers who have died by suicide. Many drivers face crushing debt from purchasing the now devalued medallions required to own and operate taxis in the city. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
Mohammed Islam signs up to hunger strike until New York City officials agree to help taxi drivers pay off loans. In the early 2000s, local drivers borrowed hundreds of thousands of dollars each to purchase taxi medallions at the height of a now-burst financial bubble. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
Richard Chow, who lost his brother to suicide, leads a rally of New York City taxi drivers calling for debt relief. Chow protested outside City Hall every day for nearly two months, eventually going on hunger strike. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
Dorina Nitescu, at a protest on the anniversary of her husband Dan’s death, holds a sign referring to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. Dan was one of thousands of taxi drivers who bought medallions at inflated prices from the agency. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
New York City taxi drivers and their supporters march around City Hall after announcing a hunger strike for medallion debt relief. Many of the protestors are members of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, and wear shirts and carry signs with the union’s logo. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
A taxi driver, whose New York City taxi medallion is now worth far less than what he owes for it, speaks during a protest for debt relief. He asks former Mayor Bill de Blasio (not present) “what should I tell my 2-year-old?” Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
New York City taxi drivers and their supporters — mostly immigrants or the children of immigrants from Asia — share a meal of chai and South Asian food before starting a hunger strike for medallion debt relief. Oct. 18, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
New York City taxi driver Amninder Chahal (L) and local organizer Jaslin Kaur (R), the daughter of a driver, wear armbands signifying they are hunger striking for debt relief. Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
A yellow cab outside New York City Hall is packed with supplies during a 24/7 protest by taxi drivers for debt relief. Dozens come and go during the day, and a dedicated few sleep in their cars overnight at the protest site. Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
Taxi drivers, union staff from the New York Taxi Workers Alliance and friends linger into the night outside City Hall after another day of protesting for debt relief. Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa
The families of New York City taxi drivers striking for debt relief stop by to write messages of support on the sidewalk outside City Hall. Oct. 20, 2021. Photo by Delger Erdenesanaa