Press Advisory

Lawyer Rides Horse Again To Urge Americans to Fight Oil Companies

For Immediate Release – Nov. 3, 2005

New Video of Peter's ride!

 
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Los Angeles: Hong Kong based West Los Angeles attorney and author Peter de Krassel, re-enacted his May 8, 1979 horseback ride in reverse along historic San Vicente Blvd. today, to symbolize the backwardness of government energy policies the last three decades, the serious crisis facing the United States over the high cost of gasoline, and the obscene multi-billion dollar oil company profits. He called for an end to “deregulation” of energy.

De Krassel concluded his two mile horse ride at the steps of Paul Revere Charter Middle School, where he called on the American people to wake up and take control of their lives by fighting the multi-national oil companies who are destroying the U.S. economy.

Peter de Krassel, who wore a Paul Revere outfit, called on the United States Congress to immediately end “deregulation” and “regulate” how utility and oil companies can charge, set profit limits, build new refineries and mandate strict maintenance guidelines. “Political contributions from utility and oil companies should be banned” de Krassel said. “The proposed hearings on oil profits in Washington are a sham. The solution is not hearings but action and legislation. Hearings were held during the 1970’s energy crisis, in 1980 and 2000 with the same results -- the consumer stuck with higher energy costs!” he added.

“ The State of California and the City of Los Angeles can also provide some leadership. In Hong Kong, where I conduct much of my business, their total taxi fleet of 18, 000 vehicles, are all powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This saves millions of gallons of gasoline, but also reduces emissions in the air” said de Krassel.

“We’ve been hijacked. It’s time to end deregulation and throw the bums out!” de Krassel declared as he concluded his statement and rode out of the gas station. De Krassel, released a protest song he wrote titled “Hijacked; Throw The Bums Out”. The song is being emailed to radio stations across the United States. It can be downloaded from his website, http://www.custommaidbook.com/buythesong.html

Contact Jack McGrath, 818/ 506-6428
 

One Answer to Gas Crunch - Get A Horse
By Mark Forster

Los Angeles Times
May 8. 1979

While other motorists wrestled with long lines at gas pumps
Monday, Peter de Krassel and Jerry Cohen found no problems
when they pulled into a station on the way to work.

But the two Beverly Hills attorneys were after water, not gas, and it was for their two horses, not their cars.

In protest against lengthening lines and escalating gas prices, de Krassel and Cohen rode their hoses on a two-hour, eight mile trip from their Pacific Palisades homes to their Beverly Hills office.

"It's a good way to symbolically express our frustrations at being ridden into gas lines by Arabs," de Krassel said,
patting his Arabian horse, Hershel, who was hitched to a
parking meter next to Cohen's horse, Missy.

De Krassel, 32, said he got the idea while caught in a gas
line Friday:  "I was so mad at the Arab riding me into this (a gas line), I
thought, 'I have an Arabian at home. Why not ride him?'"

To make sure the symbolism wasn't lost, the law partners
renamed Hershel "Mister Opec" and dubbed Missy "Abu Dhabi"
after the Persian Gulf oil sheikdom.

The two men drew curious stares and varied responses from
passing motorists during their ride that took them down a
jogger's path on San Vicente Blvd in Santa Monica through the
Veterans Administration hospital grounds in West Los Angeles
and along railroad tracks running through Century City to
Beverly Hills.

Some of the angrier glares came from motorists wanting to park in spots  occupied by

Hershel and Missy peacefully slurping water from a bucket. "Horses don't belong in
Beverly Hills," on surprised driver told de Krassel and Cohen.  Despite laws against
 horseback riding along streets in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills, the
two lawyers said they encountered no traffic or legal problems on their journey.

And they were careful to put money in the two-hour parking meter.

De Krassel estimated he saved 1 1/2 gallons of gas normally burned by his MG on the
drive to the office. Cohen, 40, said he saved about 4 gallons by leaving his Cadillac
in the garage. But the men planned to put the horses in a trailer for their return trip,
virtually negating any gas savings.

De Krassel said he planned to petition the three cities he
rode through to temporarily drop their bans on horseback
riding. If that happens, the attorney said, he would like to
ride round trip to work maybe three times a week.