NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two controversial bills that would require the NYPD to set up protest buffer zones passed in the New York City Council, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Friday that he would veto one regarding educational institutions, but allow the other for houses of worship to pass.
The mayor's reasoning behind the veto had to do with the scope of the bill's language, and potential constitutional concerns about restricting the freedom to assemble and freedom of speech.
"It defines educational institutions in such a broad manner, that it includes museums, libraries, teaching hospitals, things of that nature, which is part of the reason why nearly a dozen unions raised the alarm in opposition to this legislation, alongside reproductive rights groups, and immigrant advocates, amongst other New Yorkers," Mamdani said. "And those unions specifically raised their concern and the impact that this would have on their ability to organize."
Another similar bill that would require NYPD security perimeters for protest around houses of worship—which passed the NYC Council with a veto-proof majority, despite opposition to both pieces of legislation—will move forward.
Mamdani said that the contrasting constitutional considerations the bill brings up, balancing New Yorkers' freedom to assemble with their freedom of religion, made it a less concerning bill to pass through, despite him not agreeing with its ethos.
"At the final time of its passage, it does not have those constitutional concerns, and though I disagree with its framing of all protest as a security concern, I don't have those concerns any longer and so I made the decision to let it lapse," the mayor said.
It is not yet clear if the City Council will move to override Mamdani's veto.
