People of faith are entitled to go to their house of worship without fear of being harassed and intimidated, otherwise their First Amendment right to religious liberty is jeopardized. But in New York City there is no shortage of militant secularists and Islamists who think otherwise.
Last November, hundreds of anti-Jewish protesters harassed Jews as they visited a Manhattan synagogue. Subsequently, the newly elected New York City Council Speaker, Julie Menin, led the fight for legislation that would provide a buffer zone around houses of worship. She succeeded. The Council voted 44-5 to authorize the NYPD to develop a plan within 45 days.
The Catholic League strongly supports this measure and has let Menin know of our willingness to help her.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is opposed to providing protection for people of faith. He is on the side of the bullies. But it is a losing cause. He can veto the bill, but it will mean nothing: the Council vote is veto proof. The deadline is April 25.
Here are the five City Council members who are siding with Mamdani.
Shahana Hanif
She liked and retweeted “Globalize the Intifada” in 2021; she later deleted the post. In 2023, she voted against a resolution that sought to recognize April 29 as “End Jew Hatred Day.”
Alexa Avilés
She has no record of supporting religious liberty legislation.
Chi A. Ossé
He has made vile anti-Italian comments. He has also posted tweets bragging how he “Knocked over one of those Jesus worshippers on the subway this morning.”
Tiffany L. Cabán
She has made racist statements attacking white people and has no record of supporting religious liberty legislation.
Kayla Santosuosso
She has denounced anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim acts.
A number of activists have also weighed in, taking Mamdani’s side. The the most prominent is Gustavo Gordillo, Co-Chairman of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America. He is known for his anti-American and anti-Israel remarks.
Last year, he spoke at an anti-Israel rally saying, “They make figures like Hamas and, quote unquote, terrorists into effective enemies,” and, “The terror comes from the capitalists and their pawns…The terror comes from the fascist governments and their ICE squads.”
It is not surprising to learn that most of Mamdani’s anti-religion supporters are imbued with hate. They are very much like him.
As for the mayor, his opposition to protecting houses of worship might be different if it were mosques, and not synagogues and churches, that are being targeted. But that is not the case. It is Christian churches that are being invaded, and it is Jewish people going to synagogues that are being harassed.
Mamdani’s reluctance to sign or veto this legislation is telling. But it is what we have come to expect of him.
