Tell the NYC Council to Say “NO” to No-Speech Zones

The message:

Amid the Trump regime’s attacks on our freedoms, our city leaders should be fighting for our right to protest – not undermining it. But the City Council is once again considering a bill to create no-speech zones around schools in New York City. The bill could effectively ban protests across thousands of city blocks.

Protest is in the DNA of our city, from Stonewall to No Kings. But students and other New Yorkers could have their voices muffled if this bill becomes law.

Mayor Mamdani stood up for free speech and rightly vetoed an earlier version of the bill. Now Julie Menin, the City Council Speaker, is trying to pass this amended version with a veto-proof majority.

Take Action:

ADD MY NAME: Tell City Council Members to vote “NO” on no-speech zones.

The recipients:

New York City Council Members

Collage of Mayor Mamdani, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and people holding signs that say "Protect Protest"

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Subject

Message

As the Trump regime continues its relentless attack on our democracy, New York City should be fighting for our right to protest and speak out – not undermining it.

That’s why I’m glad Mayor Mamdani vetoed Int. 175-B, a bill that would have allowed the NYPD to create no-speech zones around any public or private “educational facility” in New York City, effectively banning protests across thousands of city blocks.

That veto was the right move for free speech. But with Speaker Menin bringing a new version of the bill to the City Council in hopes of passing it with a veto-proof majority – I’m writing to tell you your answer should again be a resounding “no!”

Protest is in the DNA of our city, from Stonewall to No Kings. But students and other New Yorkers could have their voices muffled if this bill becomes law.

Speaker Menin’s amended version of the bill could ban protest around close to 2,000 public and private schools in NYC. While this new proposal narrows the definition of an educational institution to exclude sites like colleges, universities, and teaching hospitals, it still has the same fundamental problems as 175-B.

Any measure to curtail protests on public streets is a bad idea, especially one that grants the NYPD broad authority to decide what speech is or isn’t permitted.

Members of the Council have described this bill as a transparency measure. It is clearly not. It requires the NYPD to propose a plan to the Speaker and the Mayor for the establishment of security perimeters around schools and creates a 45-day window during which authorities can manipulate the plan. This is not simply transparency because the plan does not currently exist.

If the Council truly wants to pass a transparency measure, it must amend the bill to require the NYPD to disclose the factors they currently take into account in determining whether or how to respond to protests, and that any policies and practices conform to the NYPD Protest Settlement enacted in 2024 and the First Amendment protections in our state and federal constitutions.

Telling New Yorkers that we should worry about protests by or near schools is absolutely the wrong message for these times. That’s especially true when the Trump regime is taking a sledgehammer to our rights and going after protesters. I’m counting on you to protect protest and reject Speaker Menin’s new anti-speech proposal.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

Your Information

All data you enter here will be shared with the message recipient along with your message, per our privacy statement.

Salutation *

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Alternate salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address line 2

City *

State *

Zip code *

Phone *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

Sign me up for ACLU emails so I can stay informed and take action to protect people's rights.

I agree to receive calls and texts (including automated recurring text messages) from the ACLU and its state affiliates at the number I provided above about ways to take action and support the ACLU organizations. Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to quit. Privacy Statement

Leave this field blank

Tell the NYC Council to Say “NO” to No-Speech Zones

Most recent signers:

The message:

Take Action:

The recipients:

The message:

Take Action:

The recipients:

Recent participants