NYC Council Hears Bills to Protect Houses of Worship and Schools from Hate

NYPD raises concerns over scope and authority as advocates testify on legislation

Feb. 25, 2026 at 8:40pm

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The New York City Council held a hearing on a package of legislation aimed at protecting houses of worship and schools from antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Christian hate. The bills would require the NYPD to develop response plans for threats and improve coordination, while safeguarding First Amendment rights. NYPD officials raised concerns over the scope of the legislation and potential threats to their authority over protest jurisdiction.

Why it matters

The legislation is a response to a rise in reported antisemitic, Islamophobic, and anti-Christian incidents in New York City and across the country. It aims to ensure the safety and access of people entering houses of worship and schools, while balancing free speech protections.

The details

The package includes bills that would require the NYPD to develop and publish response plans for threats to houses of worship and schools. It also includes measures to improve transparency, coordination, and safe access. The NYPD raised concerns about the scope of the legislation, particularly around protest jurisdiction on public and private property.

  • The New York City Council held its first hearing on the legislation on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • On February 24, 2026, the City Council altered the core bills, dropping a previously planned 100-foot security perimeter requirement.

The players

Julie Menin

New York City Council Speaker and sponsor of the primary bill related to houses of worship.

Eric Dinowitz

New York City Council Member and sponsor of a nearly identical bill for schools.

Yusef Salaam

Chair of the New York City Council Committee to Combat Hate, which held the hearing.

Michael Gerber

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters, who raised concerns about the legislation.

Jessica Tisch

New York City Police Commissioner.

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What they’re saying

“These bills are grounded in a simple but urgent principle: every New Yorker should feel safe entering their house of worship or their school.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker (amNewYork)

“The Commissioner wanted to ensure some additional flexibility around the size of the perimeter, because, certainly, in some instances, you need very significant perimeters around houses of worship and schools, and sometimes the perimeters are smaller.”

— Julie Menin, New York City Council Speaker (amNewYork)

“This is a distinct shift from the original legislation, which proposed a specific policy that I know our police department as well as a number of legal scholars had expressed concerns about.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor (amNewYork)

“It goes without saying that this can be gut-wrenching, infuriating, and deeply disturbing, particularly when this is happening outside a community's spiritual home. But the First Amendment protects the rights of protesters even when their speech is hateful, and the NYPD is obligated to ensure the rights of protesters without regard to the content of protected speech.”

— Michael Gerber, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Legal Matters (amNewYork)

“New York will never allow fear or prejudice to divide us. I commend Speaker Menin and the City Council for working to protect people of every faith in our city. My office will continue to protect the rights and dignity of New Yorkers and take action whenever hate or bias threatens them.”

— Letitia James, New York Attorney General (amNewYork)

What’s next

The City Council will continue discussions with the NYPD to ensure the legislation's enforcement is consistent with First Amendment protections. The Council is aiming to move the legislative package forward as soon as possible.

The takeaway

This legislative effort highlights the delicate balance between ensuring the safety and access of houses of worship and schools, while also upholding free speech rights. The NYPD's concerns over the scope and authority of the bills underscore the complexity of addressing hate and bias incidents in a way that protects all New Yorkers.