In a bid to work around a mayoral veto, the City Council plans to introduce an amended bill aimed at creating security perimeters around schools, despite criticism from some First Amendment advocates.
“We had the votes to do an override, but to jam through an override on an issue where even members who were going to support the override had concerns, I don’t think that’s a responsible path forward,” Council Speaker Julie Menin said.
The revised legislation would amend the so-called “buffer zone bill” around educational institutions.
What You Need To Know
The City Council plans to introduce amended legislation creating security perimeters around some schools during protests
The revised bill would apply to early childhood education sites and most K-12 schools, while excluding colleges, universities, libraries and teaching hospitals
Mayor Zohran Mamdani vetoed the original legislation in April, citing concerns about protest rights and the broad definition of educational institutions
“In the coming weeks we will introduce and hold a hearing on amended legislation that more clearly defines educational facilities as early childhood education sites and most K-through-12 schools,” Menin said.
Menin said libraries, teaching hospitals, colleges and universities would be “explicitly excluded” from the legislation.
The bill would still require the NYPD to publish plans for protecting those sites during protests when there is a risk of “intimidation, obstruction or physical injury.”
“I don’t see this as a watering down but a strengthening, because you’re going to get more members involved in supporting this bill,” Menin said.
In April, Mayor Zohran Mamdani vetoed the legislation, citing concerns over the right to protest and the broad definition of educational institutions. Mamdani did allow similar legislation related to houses of worship to become law.
In a statement responding to the revised proposal, a spokesperson for the mayor said: “The Mamdani administration has not seen the specific legislative language, and we look forward to reviewing it. The mayor believes New York City must remain a place where students can access their schools safely as well as exercise their constitutional right to protest.”
The amended bill is expected to be sponsored by progressive Councilmember Elsie Encarnacion instead of the original sponsor, Councilmember Eric Dinowitz.
“Obviously disappointed because the bill was a transparency measure, but we’re building a broader base of support with the new bill,” Dinowitz said.
Dinowitz also criticized opponents of the original legislation.
“I think some of the dishonesty around the opposition is about people who didn’t read the bill or didn’t want to have tough conversations around it, demonizing the bill which is about transparency and community engagement,” Dinowitz said.
The council was four votes short of a veto-proof supermajority when it passed the legislation earlier this year.
“We should be joined in the fight against antisemitism, so anytime we can get a broader coalition I think that is a positive,” Menin said.