A group of over 55 civil rights and human rights advocates, faith-based organizations, reproductive rights organizations, and educational organizations sent a letter to New York City Council Speaker Menin and Members of the New York City Council to voice their opposition to the New York City Council’s security perimeter bills, Intros. 001-B (Menin) and 175-B (Dinowitz).
While New York City has a duty to ensure the safety of its diverse communities, attempts to increase police presence at demonstrations is not the answer, as it will certainly result in the chilling and criminalization of First Amendment protected protest and invite overpolicing of traditionally marginalized communities—namely Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ communities—and disfavored viewpoints.
