The New York City Council has passed a measure to protect houses of worship during protests.
Whether it protects free speech rights is apparently a matter for debate. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has raised some concerns before the legislation was passed and he is facing the same concerns again.
But supporters say it is necessary at a time when hate crimes are on the rise. On Friday, there was a celebration of the bill at Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side.
“For every New Yorker of every faith who has ever hesitated, even for a moment, before walking into the doors of their synagogue, church, mosque or temple, this one’s for you,” said Mark Treyger with Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
Supporters of the legislation declared victory Friday morning. The NYPD would be ordered to develop protest perimeters outside religious institutions intended to protect worshippers from protesters who may seek to harass them or intimidate them-or worse.
It was passed Thursday in the City Council 44-5, with one abstention.
“People can peacefully protest and express their rights as existing before, but what this bill does is it says you do not have the right to intimidate and harass people as they are entering their house of worship,” said council speaker Julie Menin. “That was what was at stake with this bill, and I couldn’t be more proud of the city council and the result yesterday.”
Whether it becomes law will be up to Mayor Mamdani, who has questioned its constitutionality. On Friday he told reporters he has not decided whether he will veto it.
“I’m aware of the serious concerns that New Yorkers have raised regarding these bills limiting of New Yorkers’ constitutional rights, and I will consider those concerns in my decision making,” Mamdani said. “I’m always looking forward to charting a course in this city that protects the right to prayer and the right to protest.”
The mayor has 30 days to make a decision. The legislation passed with a veto-proof majority, so the council could later vote to override a veto.
“When we stand together, different faiths, one family, we can achieve so much together,” said Joseph Potasnik with the New York Board of Rabbis. “When people say to us as Jews, you are stifling protest. Give me a break! We’re a people of protest. When mosques and churches were desecrated, we protested.”
The question of constitutionality is not likely to go away. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has also expressed reservations if these kinds of protest zones can be legally enforced.
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