A Minneapolis city council member has faced considerable public mockery following his remarks defending "cat lovers" and alleging that Waymo autonomous vehicles are responsible for the deaths of cats. The council member advocated for a measure that would compel self-driving cars to have human occupants.
"I will say cats have been killed and cats have been killed by these autonomous vehicles," Councilman Jason Chavez told his colleagues. He continued, expressing personal concern, "I have a cat. I don't want my cat getting killed because of these autonomous vehicles."
Chavez then addressed the public, stating, "So, to those cat lovers out there, just know that these Waymo vehicles, these autonomous vehicles have killed cats and that's unfair." He recounted a difficult viewing experience during the session: "I just watched a video sitting here from the dais, and it was really hard to watch. Literally, cats being murdered by these vehicles."
The proposed ordinance, which mandates a human operator and a specialized license for all autonomous vehicles, narrowly secured passage on Thursday. However, its future remains uncertain.
Mayor Jacob Frey has publicly announced his intention to veto the proposal. In statements to various Minnesota news outlets, Frey commented that the measure "doesn't make sense" and affirmed the city's commitment to embracing "innovative technology," including advanced transportation solutions. While acknowledging some safety concerns, Mayor Frey emphasized that he would not endorse what he called a "backdoor ban" on these vehicles.
As autonomous Waymo vehicles, identifiable by their rooftop sensors and often empty passenger seats, become a more frequent sight, the debate intensifies. Supporters of the technology contend that requiring a human operator would effectively prohibit autonomous taxi services and lead to higher fares. Conversely, those opposed to the vehicles raise concerns about potential safety hazards and the impact on employment.
Online Backlash and City Priorities
Councilman Chavez's comments regarding the perceived danger to felines quickly drew criticism on social media platforms. Many users accused him of exaggerating the issue and diverting attention from more critical concerns facing Minneapolis.
Dustin Grage, a columnist, commented on X, "The Minneapolis City Council wants to require a human in driverless vehicles because cats are being 'murdered' by them." He also highlighted the financial aspect, adding, "This guy's salary is $110,000/year, by the way." Grage continued his critique in subsequent posts, quipping, "They're calling it the cat genocide" and issuing a satirical warning, "Hide your cats. The Waymos are coming."
Conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman also weighed in on X, writing, "LOL! MINNEAPOLIS HAS FOUND ITS REAL CRISIS, AND IT'S ROBOT CARS 'MURDERING' CATS." Eagleman argued that the city should be focusing on more significant issues such as crime and fraud, characterizing the council's focus as indicative of failed leadership.
"A council member in a city that let rioters burn down a police precinct and watched a $250 million fraud scheme happen under its nose now wants a human in every driverless car to protect the cats," Eagleman posted. He further criticized, "He's pulling down $110,000 a year of taxpayer money to say this with a straight face. Minneapolis doesn't have a driverless car problem. It has a leadership problem."
Jennifer DeJournett, a Three Rivers Park Commissioner, also expressed her dismay on X: "Why is a city council member making 110,000 when families and seniors are getting priced out of their homes in Minneapolis and taxes are sky rocking????? That's absurd - where is the equality in that???"
Autonomous Vehicle Capabilities Questioned
Amidst the debate, some social media users shared experiences suggesting that current autonomous vehicle technology is capable of detecting and avoiding animals.
Journalist Zaid Jilani shared his observation on X: "Fwiw I've been in a self-driving Tesla that stopped for cats to cross the road and Waymo is a lot more advanced."
Similarly, Sean Stapleton, CEO and co-founder of Dealer Teamwork, posted on X, "My FSD Tesla avoids animals on the road. He is full of it."
