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A progressive Jewish group that’s closely allied with Zohran Mamdani took part in a rally outside City Hall on Thursday, calling for the mayor to veto a “buffer zone” bill that could limit where protests can take place.
“Jews are literally ‘people of the book’ — our teachings tell us that open debate and discussion should be celebrated, not silenced,” said Rabbi Barat Ellman, a member of Jews for Racial and Economic Justice. “I urge Mayor Mamdani to veto the bill.”
The bill in question is one of two passed by the City Council last month that were championed by Jewish lawmakers and leaders who were unnerved by pro-Palestinian protests targeting synagogues. A bill proposed by Speaker Julie Menin that applies to protests outside houses of worship passed with a veto-proof supermajority, but a second bill that applies to protests near “educational facilities” passed with enough “no” votes for Mamdani to be able to strike it down.
Mamdani has indicated concerns about the legislation but not his plans about whether to sign it.
If Mamdani vetoes the bill, it would put him at odds with major Jewish organizations that support the legislation like UJA-Federation of New York, the Jewish Community Relations Council and the local branch of the Anti-Defamation League, as well as a number of Jewish leaders.
But if Mamdani chooses not to veto the legislation by the end of next week, the bill will pass. And that would mark the first major breach since he became mayor with his progressive Jewish allies.
Now, progressive organizations including JFREJ are ratcheting up pressure on their ally in City Hall to reject the legislation, which they oppose on free speech and overpolicing grounds.
About 100 attendees showed up to City Hall Park, representing a number of education and other labor rights groups including the United Federation of Teachers, the CUNY staff-faculty union, Democratic Socialists of America and United Auto Workers. A handful of progressive City Council members joined and advocated for a veto as well.
“Zohran, Zohran, veto now! Protect our youth, we won’t bow,” rallygoers chanted in the 90-degree heat.
“It’s hot,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif, as people fanned themselves. “And we need to keep the fire going.”
Council members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles and Tiffany Caban spoke as well.
“I don’t just hope — I am calling on the mayor of New York to veto this anti-democratic bill,” said Caban, who added that she prefers JFREJ’s recent proposal to combat hate crimes without policing.
A veto would not mark the end of the legislation. If Mamdani rejects the bill, 18 of the 19 council members who opposed it will have to choose to sustain his veto.
“We can stop this bill from becoming law, but we have to keep the pressure up,” said Restler, who is Jewish. “We have to make sure that the mayor does the right thing, and we have to make sure that every Council member who voted the right way last week, votes the right way again.”
JFREJ has supported Mamdani since well before his election, first endorsing him for State Assembly in 2020 and maintaining a close relationship since. The group honored him with its annual “Mazals” award last fall and hosted him at its “Seder in the Streets” earlier this month. Mamdani has even credited some of his policy ideas, such as free buses, to conversations with JFREJ members.