Controversy erupted in parts of New York’s Orthodox Jewish community after Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued his first veto as mayor on April 24, rejecting a City Council bill that would have required the NYPD to establish “buffer zones” around schools and educational institutions during protests.
The legislation, known as Intro 175-B, aimed to give police clearer authority to create security perimeters around schools to prevent physical obstruction, intimidation, or interference with students and staff. Supporters, including many in the Jewish community, argued it was needed to shield yeshivas, students, and educational facilities from increasingly aggressive demonstrations, particularly those related to the Gaza war and Israel.
Mayor Mamdani vetoed the bill, stating it was too broad and could restrict First Amendment rights to protest. He noted that the measure might apply not only to schools but also to universities, museums, and teaching hospitals, potentially affecting various forms of demonstration, including those by labor groups, students, or immigration advocates. A separate bill creating buffer zones around houses of worship passed with a veto-proof majority and was not blocked.
