The legislation proposed by Speaker Julie Menin may test Mayor Zohran Mamdani's willingness to limit free speech.
New York City could establish “safety zones” around schools and houses of worship to prevent harassment from protesters under a newly announced bill from City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “What we are trying to do is protect congregants for any house of worship,” Menin said Friday during a press conference at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Lower Manhattan.
She said the legislation is intended to allow people to “enter and exit without fear of intimidation or harassment,” and the same rules would apply to schools. The measure, which the speaker has yet to introduce, could pose an uncomfortable test for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has faced criticisms over his slow response to anti-Israel protesters yelling antisemitic and inflammatory slogans. Recent demonstrations in front of two synagogues in the city have prompted concerns around language used by protesters. Mamdani, a staunch critic of Israel, has said New Yorkers should be able to feel safe entering houses of worship, but the city also needs to uphold the right to protest. “The mayor is committed to fighting antisemitism, and ensuring that New Yorkers continue to be able to worship freely as well as exercise their First Amendment rights," said mayoral spokesperson Dora Pekec in an emailed statement."On the first day of his administration, the mayor directed the NYPD and the city's law department to review the legality of a range of proposals, including those like Speaker Menin’s buffer zones proposal, and he will wait for the outcome of that review.”on public sidewalks. New York state law currently prohibits people from intimidating or blocking someone seeking to enter a house of worship or abortion clinic, but does not restrict where protests can occur in public space. Under her bill, Menin said the NYPD would be responsible for clearing access for those entering schools and houses of worship. Gov. Kathy Hochul hasin Albany on Tuesday. The governor said she wants to establish a 25-foot barrier for protests at houses of worship and health care facilities.chanted “globalize the intifada” and “death to the IDF,” referring the Israel Defense Forces, outside an Upper East Side synagogue that had rented space to an organization that helps Jews move to Israel and settlements in the West Bank.in support of Hamas outside a Queens synagogue as pro-Israel protesters yelled “death to Palestine.” A video of the pro-Hamas chants went viral, prompting several elected officials to condemn them. Mamdani was criticized by some Jewish New Yorkers for being slow to issue a statement. But he eventually said, “Chants in support of a terrorist organization have no place in our city.” He added: “We will continue to ensure New Yorkers’ safety entering and exiting houses of worship as well as the constitutional right to protest.” Menin said her legislation, which would need a majority of the Council’s support to pass, is based on proposals drafted by councilmembers last year. She said she is also introducing additional initiatives to combat antisemitism. They include helping cash-strapped synagogues and Jewish institutions pay for security training and equipment, setting up a hotline for reporting antisemitic incidents and a $1.25 million fund for Holocaust education at the Museum of Jewish Heritage., antisemitic incidents made up 57% of all reported hate crimes last year. Jewish New Yorkers make up only about 10% of the city’s population.“I make no apology about insisting on a proportionate response to the disproportionate discrimination against our Jewish community,” she said.Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? EmailAriel Quidone, 20, died days after his release. A city report found jail staff watched him vomit and did nothing.Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to expand a state-run program that deploys cops and nurses into the subways to force people into care. It's unclear if the new mayor will retain a city-run program that does the same thing.Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to expand a state-run program that deploys cops and nurses into the subways to force people into care. It's unclear if the new mayor will retain a city-run program that does the same thing.Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio.
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