By 5 Towns Central Staff

NEW YORK, N.Y. (July 1, 2026) — The New York City Council has approved legislation requiring the NYPD to report on how it protects students, families, and staff from disruptive protests outside K-12 schools and childcare centers, following Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s veto of an earlier, broader proposal.

The measure, sponsored by Councilwoman Elsie Encarnación, passed with a veto-proof majority and requires Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch to submit regular reports detailing when the department establishes security perimeters and how it balances public safety with the constitutional rights to free speech, peaceful assembly, and protest. The reports must also explain how the NYPD ensures emergency access to schools and accommodates activities such as student walkouts.

Unlike the original proposal, the revised legislation does not apply to colleges or universities. Mayor Mamdani vetoed the earlier version in April, arguing that creating buffer zones around institutions of higher education could infringe on First Amendment rights and limit demonstrations on issues ranging from immigration enforcement to fossil fuel divestment and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Supporters of the revised bill said it strikes a balance between protecting children and preserving free expression. Council Speaker Julie Menin said students should be able to attend school without intimidation, while Councilman Eric Dinowitz emphasized that families deserve safe access to school buildings.

Critics argued the legislation has limited practical impact because most recent anti-Israel demonstrations have occurred at colleges and universities, particularly at campuses such as Columbia University and the City College of New York, which are not covered by the new reporting requirement.

The council also approved separate legislation authorizing the NYPD to establish buffer zones around houses of worship when necessary. Meanwhile, New York State recently enacted a law creating a 50-foot buffer zone around religious institutions, making it a misdemeanor to intentionally interfere with access to those facilities.

Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York and UJA-Federation of New York, welcomed the council’s action, describing it as an important step toward protecting students, families, and religious communities while respecting constitutional rights.