Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor, believes he has outlived the time when anyone would fear entering or leaving a house of worship.
Four months ago, that belief evaporated in an instant.
In November, protesters outside Park East Synagogue, Rabbi Schneier’s congregation in Manhattan, literally crossed the line.
Instead of remaining behind a designated barrier and protesting peacefully, they headed directly to the entrance of the synagogue, creating a threatening and unsafe environment for worshipers.
The city acknowledged that the situation at Park East could have been handled much better — the entrance was not clear, and the space outside was “messy” and difficult for worshipers to get in and out.
Because this was more than just an innocent protest: it was intimidation and harassment that ultimately interfered with worshipers’ right to worship freely.
If this can happen outside the synagogue, it can happen outside the church, mosque, temple or any place where people come together in faith, in learning or in community.
The moment we tolerate such interference at the doors of houses of worship, we weaken the foundation of safety for all.
Weeks later, a similar scene occurred outside a religious school in Kew Gardens, Queens.
The result was the same: New Yorkers trying to enter their house of worship were afraid to do so because of targeted obstruction and intimidation.
This should never happen in our city.
As a public official, I pledged to prevent this from happening again.
As one of my first official actions as City Council President, I was proud to introduce new legislation that turned that promise into meaningful policy.
On Thursday, the Assembly will have the opportunity to pass this bill, putting it on the path to becoming law.
While upholding the right to peaceful protest, this bill requires the NYPD to develop a plan to address and contain the risks of physical obstruction, physical injury, intimidation, and interference around houses of worship when a protest is imminent.
This plan will determine whether a security perimeter is needed – and if so, how far the perimeter should extend from the entrances and exits of the building.
The goal of creating these security perimeters is simple: to create protocols that ensure safe access to enter these sacred spaces, and prevent what we saw at Park East and Kew Gardens from happening anywhere else.
But these measures don’t just protect one community; everyone communities, regardless of the faith they practice or where they study.
Our city’s fundamental covenant is that everyone who lives here deserves to be safe and feel secure.
It is the City Council’s solemn responsibility as well as our moral duty to uphold this covenant.
At the same time, it is essential that we uphold the constitutional rights of the voters we serve.
As a key part of these bills, we are also making sure that implementing security borders does not limit freedom of expression or freedom of assembly.
These inalienable rights will not be compromised, and our freedoms – whether the freedom to practice religion or the freedom to express what you believe in – will not be weakened.
New York has always protected the right to protest: loudly, clearly, and passionately.
This is what our history was built on.
That will not change – under this bill, the right to peacefully protest outside houses of worship will remain unrestricted.
But the right to protest does not include depriving others they The right to worship as they want.
That is the line this legislation draws.
It also brings something we’ve been missing: transparency.
Currently, responses to these situations can be inconsistent and unclear.
Under this bill, the NYPD would be required to publicly explain how decisions are made: when to use the perimeter, how its size is determined, how long it lasts, and how safety and protest rights are maintained.
By codifying clear expectations for the NYPD, we move from ambiguity to accountability, ensuring the protection of congregants and protesters alike.
In moments like these, it is our responsibility to act in the name of protecting New Yorkers from all walks of life.
As the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I bring a deep understanding of what happens when fear takes hold at the doors of our communities.
I also know the importance of standing up for religious freedom for all – as when I supported the Islamic Cultural Center near Ground Zero despite intense public opposition.
Anti-Semitism is rising at historic rates. And also Islamophobia.
The same applies to many forms of hatred, and we must intensify our efforts to combat them.
The City Council is proud to take immediate and impactful steps to support the safety, freedom and transparency that should be guaranteed to all.
This is what it takes to protect New Yorkers – and this is what our legislation provides.
Julie Menin is the President of the New York City Council.