Mamdani vetoed Intro 175, part of the buffer zone bill. While the bill was not written specifically for Jews, it has become such a hot issue because, in practice, it would provide additional safety measures for one of the most vulnerable communities in NYC right now: Jewish people.
The bill would still allow protestors to protest. It would simply require anti-Jewish protestors to stand a few feet farther back if they want to hurl slurs and threats outside a Jewish school or communal space. Mamdani vetoed that, and we should be furious and prepared for what comes next.
And to clarify: I don’t think many people understand how rarely joint statements from this many Jewish orgs happen, and how bad, or how good, something has to be for that to happen.
The Jewish orgs you see here, all of which do great work in their own right, often work with each other, sign occasional statements, or participate in coordinated legal, activist, or educational efforts. But like in most spaces, Jewish org politics, donor expectations, and internal positions, which each organization is entitled to, make broad public cooperation very rare.
When it happens, you better be paying attention.
And if it wasn’t clear — STOP looking to make nice with Mamdani. Stop inviting him to Jewish events hoping to sway him. It only serves to bolster his image.
the full statement reads:
We are deeply disappointed by Mayor Mamdani’s decision to veto Intro 175, legislation that would have required clear, coordinated safety plans around schools and learning institutions. At a time when Jewish and other communities across our city are facing heightened threats, this legislation represented a crucial step toward ensuring that every school and community institution can be better protected.
Measures like these importantly safeguard institutions against real and growing threats while maintaining people’s right to protest. Actions speak louder than words. This veto is a profound failure of City Hall to demonstrate to all New Yorkers that our safety is a priority. We thank Speaker Menin and Councilmember Dinowitz for their leadership and unwavering commitment to the safety of New Yorkers.