NYC Mayor Backs Protest Buffer Zones For Religious Sites, But Not on School Grounds

By passing one City Council bill and vetoing another, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Friday allowed the police department to plan for a buffer zone during protests around religious institutions, but not at educational facilities. 

Last month, the City Council passed two bills related to these rights, known as buffer zone bills. Bill Int. 1-B, which allows a buffer zone around places of worship, "initially raised constitutional concerns," Mamdani said in a statement. The mayor said he decided to sign the bill into law since the final version of the bill that passed is narrower in scope and effect, as it requires the NYPD to document its existing practices related to protests.

"That said, I disagree with its framing of all protest as a security concern," he added.

Mamdani said he vetoed the bill which allows a buffer zone around educational institutions because as the bill is written, facilities including universities, museums to teaching hospitals could face restrictions.

"This could impact workers protesting [Immigration and Customs Enforcement], or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels or demonstrating in support of Palestinian rights," the mayor said. "Int. 175-B is not a narrow public safety measure; it is a piece of legislation that has alarmed much of the labor movement, reproductive rights groups, and immigration advocates, among others, across this city."

The mayor said nearly a dozen unions raised the alarm about its impact on their ability to organize.

City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who is a major proponent of the two bills, said students should not be harassed or intimidated around school.

“Ensuring students can enter and exit their schools without fear of harassment or intimidation should not be controversial," she said in a statement. "This bill simply requires the NYPD to clearly outline how it will ensure safe access when there are threats of obstruction or physical injury, while fully protecting First Amendment rights.”

The mayor, however, said the city is a place where New Yorkers should be able to organize and speak out to demand change.

"That tradition is essential, and we will ensure that it continues, and that protection, prayer, and protest are guaranteed for every New Yorker," he said.