New York City Council has passed two bills that would expand NYPD power to limit where New Yorkers can gather and speak out, and what happens next depends on what we do right now.
These bills would allow the NYPD to set up police perimeters around schools and houses of worship, giving them broad control over where protests can happen. One of them, Intro 175-B, focuses on schools and did not pass with a veto proof majority, which means there is still a real chance to stop it. The other, Intro 1-B, passed with enough votes to override a veto. That does not make it okay, and we should be clear with our leaders that we are deeply disappointed they chose to move it forward in this way.
When police are given more discretion, there is less space for people to speak out, especially for communities already facing overpolicing. There are already laws that protect people from harm, and expanding police authority in this way is not the answer. It makes it harder to come together and show up for one another when it matters most.
That is why we are coming together this Thursday at City Hall. Join us to stand up for the right to protest and make it clear that increasing police control over public space makes our communities less safe, not more. If you cannot make it, you can still take action by sending a message to City leaders. Tell Mayor Mamdani to veto Intro 175-B and urge Council Members to stand with New Yorkers by sustaining that veto and defeating the bill.
We have already shifted this fight once by speaking out together. Let’s show up again and stop 175-B from becoming law.