The New York City Council has approved legislation granting the New York City Police Department (NYPD) authority to establish buffer zones around houses of worship. The controversial bill passed by a veto-proof 44-5 margin on Thursday, March 26, 2026, sending it to Mayor Mamdani's desk.

The measure, championed by Council Speaker Julie Menin, mandates the NYPD to develop plans for mitigating risks such as obstruction, injury, intimidation, and interference during protests near religious sites. This includes determining the necessity of security perimeters to ensure safe access for congregants.

Speaker Menin introduced the legislation following an incident in November where anti-Israel protesters gathered outside the Park East Synagogue, chanting "globalize the intifada." Reports indicated that congregants felt apprehensive about entering or exiting the building. Menin, who is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, stated that the issue was deeply personal and emphasized the legislation's aim to balance First Amendment protest rights with the need to address rising antisemitism and ensure safety.

Support for the bill was voiced by organizations like the Jewish Community Relations Council. Its CEO, Mark Treyger, asserted that individuals of any faith should not be subjected to intimidation when accessing their houses of worship, calling the Park East Synagogue incident a "wake-up call."

However, the bill faced significant opposition from free-speech advocates and progressive groups, including Mayor Mamdani's allies and the city's Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) contingent. Critics argued that the legislation constitutes an an assault on the First Amendment, expressing concerns that it would broaden the NYPD's capacity to police and surveil Black, Brown, and immigrant New Yorkers, thereby jeopardizing protesters' rights and safety.

Mayor Mamdani, a critic of Israel, has largely avoided taking a direct public stance on the bill. His office did not respond to inquiries regarding a potential veto, though the bill's veto-proof majority would render such an action symbolic. He notably did not applaud Governor Hochul's earlier pitch for a similar 25-foot buffer zone around houses of worship during her State of the State address. Speaker Menin's initial proposal had suggested 100-foot perimeters but was amended after input from NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and to address civil liberties concerns.

In related action, the Council also passed a separate "safe access" bill for schools, introduced by Councilman Eric Dinowitz, by a vote of 30-19. This measure, however, did not achieve a veto-proof majority.