Mayor Plans to Veto School Protest Buffer Zone Bill
Mayor Zoran Mamdani is set to veto a proposed bill that would establish a “buffer zone” for protests near schools. His concerns revolve around the possibility that this legislation could hinder protests against ICE and limit support for Palestinian rights.
This veto would mark the first of Mamdani’s tenure and likely derail a bill put forth by Rep. Eric Dinowitz (D-Bronx). The bill recently passed the City Council with a considerable 30-19 majority that could withstand a veto.
Interestingly, this potential bill mirrors another measure that was passed last month, which mandates the creation of no-protest zones around synagogues and various places of worship in New York City.
Meanwhile, the religious buffer zone bill, backed by House Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan), managed to secure a significant 44-5 vote in the House on the same day.
Mamdani and his allies in the progressive camp have expressed doubts regarding Dinowitz’s proposal for no-protest zones outside schools.
Sources indicate that Mamdani communicated his intention to veto the bill as early as Friday morning.
This anticipated veto was first reported by The New York Times.
The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America has strongly opposed both bills, organizing a phone banking effort in late March to rally support against them.
They argued, “These bills would broaden the NYPD’s power to monitor and police Black, brown, and immigrant New Yorkers, which could jeopardize the safety of protesters exercising their First Amendment rights and the students in our schools.”
Although Mamdani has not outwardly endorsed buffer zones around places of worship, it’s worth noting that he didn’t applaud Governor Kathy Hochul during her State of the Union address when she introduced a 25-foot no-protest zone.
No comments have yet come from city hall regarding the veto.
“Making sure students can enter and exit school without facing harassment or intimidation shouldn’t be up for debate,” stated Menin. “This bill simply requires the NYPD to clearly outline how it will ensure safe access when threats of obstruction or harm arise, all while respecting First Amendment rights.”
The mayor, in a statement, expressed that he had no plans to veto the bill for religious institutions but found the broad definition of “educational institutions” troubling.
Mamdani noted, “The way the bill is framed means that everything from universities to museums could be affected, restricting protests from workers standing against ICE or students advocating for fossil fuel divestment or Palestinian rights.”
The bill has generated significant concern among various groups, including labor unions, reproductive rights advocates, and immigrant support organizations, with more than a dozen unions raising alarm over its potential impact on their organizing efforts.
