Nassau moves to limit protests at places of religious worship
Park East Synagogue. Credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Nassau’s Republican lawmakers are proposing a law that would put distance restrictions on demonstrations near places of religious worship in the county.
Filed Monday in the legislature, the Religious Safety Act would prohibit protesters from getting closer than 10 feet to anyone entering or leaving “a place of religious worship before, during, and after services.” The restriction would apply to a zone of 100 feet from the entrance from one hour before the start of the service to one hour after it ends.
The bill would also make it illegal for any demonstrations to take place within 35 feet of the entrance to a place of worship. Violators can be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by a $250 fine or up to 1 year in jail.
The legislation comes two weeks after a widely publicized confrontation at the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan where protesters shouted “Globalize the intifada” and “Death to the IDF” as congregants were entering the facility to attend an event promoting migration to Israel.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch later personally apologized to the congregation during Shabbat services stating that police did not do enough to create a safe zone outside the synagogue to protect members from being harassed.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who has spoken extensively about protecting residents from acts of antisemitism, did not respond to a request for comment. If past practice is any guide, GOP lawmakers are acting in accordance with Blakeman's wishes with the bill.
A month ago, Blakeman held a news conference in Mineola to condemn antisemitism in New York City. “We are enhancing police presence and security measures at houses of worship to ensure every resident feels safe. With the third-largest Jewish population in the country, Nassau County stands firm — antisemitism will never be tolerated,” he said.
Blakeman is exploring a run for governor in 2026.
Previously, Blakeman has responded to pro-Palestinian protests over the conflict in Gaza by creating a specialized deputy sheriffs’ unit, known as his militia, that could be used to protect temples and synagogues, and signed a ban on masks by protesters.
This originally appeared in The Point. Subscribe to The Point here and browse past editions of The Point here.
