Some New York lawmakers want to ban protests outside houses of worship after pro

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather demonstrate against an organization that helps American Jews emigrate to Israel, outside the Park East Synagogue in Manhattan, on November 19. Selçuk Acar/Anadolu/Getty Images

A group of New York state lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday to ban demonstrations outside of houses of worship and reproductive health care clinics, days after a pro-Palestinian demonstration outside a prominent Manhattan synagogue led to criticism of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s response.

The bill would amend New York’s existing buffer zone rules to create a specific ban against demonstrations taking place within 25 feet of the entrance to a house of worship or clinic. The limit would also extend to parking lots, other entrances and driveways.

State Assemblyman Micah La