Overview
- Julie Menin announced a five-point plan that would create buffer zones around synagogues, houses of worship, and schools to ensure unobstructed, harassment-free access during protests.
- The Council’s proposal mirrors Governor Kathy Hochul’s 25-foot concept but contemplates larger perimeters, with Menin saying members may consider distances up to 100 feet.
- The package pairs the buffer measure with expanded reimbursements for security guards, funding for cameras, and mandatory safety training for religious institutions.
- The plan adds a city hotline to report antisemitic incidents to the Commission on Human Rights and establishes new Holocaust education funding through the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office says it supports protecting worshippers while city lawyers review First Amendment issues, as NYPD figures show 330 of 576 reported hate crimes last year targeted Jewish New Yorkers.