NYC bill restricting protests outside religious and educational institutions gains steam

"Michael Gerber, the NYPD's deputy commissioner of legal matters, told a City Council hearing that the change resolved the department's concerns about the proposed protest measures. Supporters of the revised protest bills, part of City Council Speaker Julie Menin's legislative package designed to combat antisemitism, told a public hearing on Wednesday the bills would nonetheless help ensure safe access for worshipers to houses of worship during rowdy demonstrations."

"The revised legislation merely calls for the NYPD to establish a plan for dealing with such protests. But police officials said it would change nothing on the ground, in terms of how the department oversees demonstrations. And progressive opponents argued that in the absence of any substantive measures the legislation is a hollow gesture that does little to address actual hate against religious communities."

"My concern here is we're putting forth a symbolic bill that doesn't really address the real concerns and fears that are being expressed today, and that are held by a broad spectrum of New Yorkers, Councilmember Sandy Nurse said."

The New York City Council advanced legislation designed to combat antisemitism and manage disruptive protests outside houses of worship and educational institutions. Originally, the bill included provisions for 100-foot security buffer zones, but this was removed to address NYPD concerns. The revised legislation now requires only that the NYPD develop a plan for handling such protests. While supporters contend the measure will help ensure safe access for worshipers during demonstrations, critics argue the bill is largely symbolic and fails to address substantive concerns about hate crimes targeting religious communities. The legislation reflects broader efforts by colleges and universities to address antisemitism following protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Read at Gothamist