Linda Sadacka
In New York, chaos has become the new normal. What should be peaceful protests (which are a cornerstone of democratic expression) too often devolve into violent free-for-alls. We have all seen it – the broken windows, terrified families trying to cross streets blocked by agitators, and police officers caught in dangerous clashes with masked ”protesters” who think they are above the law. This is not just bad optics. This is a direct threat to public safety.
Less than a month after the tragic events of October 7, 2023, it became clear to me that action was urgently needed. The images of horror and devastation shocked us all, but what unfolded in the weeks that followed was equally alarming. Protests, initially intended to express solidarity or outrage, began to morph into something far darker. In response, I personally took steps to sound the alarm – writing letters to the mayor’s office and organizing a successful phone campaign to advocate for laws designed to protect the right to protest while maintaining public order. Yet, here we are, nearly a year later, and New York City continues to drag its feet, allowing this dangerous trend to spiral further out of control.
The Need for Comprehensive Protest Laws
To be clear, this is not about curbing free speech. Protesters have every right to voice their opinions, to march in the streets, and to demand change. But when those marches turn violent – when agitators hide their identities and use protests as cover to wreak havoc – then those marches should not fall under the standard free speech protections, because that right to free speech and protest gatherings does not extend to criminal behavior.
We have seen it play out time and again. The Manhattan Bridge incident in November 2023 is one example, when masked protesters clashed with police, blocked traffic, and hurled projectiles. Another example is the Midtown vandalism in December, where a peaceful demonstration was hijacked by criminals who smashed windows and defaced property, causing thousands of dollars in damage. These are not isolated events – they are part of a growing trend of lawlessness that extends far beyond New York.
Global Patterns
In fact, this troubling pattern is playing out on a global scale. Across the world, chaos is escalating under the false banner of progressivism and inclusivity, leaving communities vulnerable and unprotected. Look at Amsterdam, where a so-called “protest” turned into an
outright pogrom. Jewish landmarks were vandalized, residents were attacked, and anti-Semitic chants rang through the streets. This was not a spontaneous rally – it was a planned, targeted assault on a minority community, unchecked by authorities. This is history repeating itself, and it should alarm every person who values civilized behavior.
In Montreal, we see the same disturbing pattern. Rabbi Adam Scheier and his family were told by police to leave a public area because his kippah might provoke a nearby pro-Hamas mob. Think about that: instead of protecting innocent citizens, law enforcement chose to direct them to leave a place in their own city to appease aggressors. This is not the promotion of inclusivity; it is cowardice.
Closer to home, in Brooklyn’s Nostrand Avenue, Jewish neighborhoods have found themselves under siege. It is both absurd and unacceptable that agitators are permitted to march through predominantly Jewish areas, openly threatening residents and traumatizing entire communities – including children and the elderly. The very notion that such actions are allowed to take place in spaces meant to be safe for minority populations is a fundamental failure of governance and law enforcement.
Designated Protest Areas
Permissive laws and weak leadership have created a dangerous climate where the rule of law is undermined, and communities are left to fend for themselves. Protesters should not have free rein to intimidate and terrorize the locals in residential neighborhoods. This is not an issue of free speech – it is an issue of public safety and basic human dignity. Enforcing designated protest areas is not a violation of civil rights; it is a necessary measure to ensure that protests do not infringe on the safety and well-being of others.
The time has come to draw a clear line: freedom of expression cannot come at the expense of another’s sense of security, especially in communities that have historically faced targeted hate and violence. Designated protest zones must be enforced to ensure that protests remain lawful and respectful, and that vulnerable communities are shielded from unnecessary harm. Anything less is a failure to uphold the principles of fairness and justice.
A Common Thread
What ties all of this together are the policies disguised as “progressive” that undermine accountability and enable chaos. Today’s bail reform and soft-on-crime policies claim to promote fairness, but in reality, they strip away basic protections for vulnerable communities. This is exactly how dangerous precedents are set. History tells us what happens when governments fail to confront anti-Semitism and lawlessness. Before the Holocaust, laws targeting Jews were implemented under the guise of law and order. Today, we arere witnessing the same erosion of protections, only now what is happening is veiled in the language of inclusivity and equity.
Make no mistake: when a society refuses to enforce its own laws and to hold criminals accountable, it invites disaster. Chaos is not progress. And the parallels to past events in history are too striking to ignore.
Measures to Enforce Safety During Protests
One effective example is the recently enacted Mask Transparency Act in Nassau County, which bans masks at protests to remove the anonymity that violent agitators rely on. While Nassau County implemented this measure recently, I had proposed this very idea in a letter I sent to the mayor’s office just a month after October 7, 2023. In the aftermath of that tragic day, I recognized the growing potential for protests to be exploited by bad actors and emphasized in my letter that removing anonymity was a crucial step toward maintaining public order. While it is encouraging to see Nassau County take action now, it is clear that focusing solely on masks is not enough. New York needs a broader set of measures to ensure protests remain peaceful and productive for everyone involved.
Here’s what that could look like:
Permit Requirements: Cities need to know when and where protests are happening so they can prepare. This is not about controlling speech—it is about keeping people safe.
Designated Zones: Clear, controlled spaces for protests would prevent disruption in residential neighborhoods and local businesses.
Time Limits: Protests stretching into the night are more likely to escalate into violence. Setting reasonable end times will help to maintain order.
Security and Cleanup Plans: Protest organizers should provide their own security personnel and have a plan for medical support and cleanup.
These measures are not intended to only be restrictive – they are common-sense solutions to ensure that protests remain safe, organized, and meaningful.
We Have Forgotten What a Peaceful Protest Looks Like
The sad truth is that we have forgotten what peaceful protests look like. A colleague of mine recently experienced something that underscores just how far we have strayed. While traveling in Budapest, he accidentally walked into a large rally. He was stunned by the atmosphere. The protesters were peaceful, orderly, and respectful. There was no chaos. No violence. Just people expressing their views as part of a functioning democracy.
Contrast that with what we are seeing in New York today – agitated crowds turning protests into battlegrounds. The difference is stark, and it is a lesson we cannot afford to ignore. Without
stronger guardrails, protests lose their integrity, communities suffer, and the public loses faith in the democratic process.
Time to Act
The chaos unfolding in New York and beyond is a clear sign that leadership is failing us. Governor Kathy Hochul and city officials must step up and adopt comprehensive measures to ensure protests remain peaceful. While banning masks is a start, a holistic approach is needed – one that balances the right to protest with the responsibility to protect public safety.
If we do not act now, we risk watching our cities spiral further into violence, leaving innocent people caught in the crossfire. The solution is within reach, but it requires bold leadership to implement it. The time for action is now. Our cities, our communities, and our values depend on it.
Here’s How You Can Help
Call Governor Hochul at (518) 474-8390 and demand statewide adoption of effective protest laws.
Contact Mayor Adams’ office at (917) 909-2288 to urge the implementation of stricter protest guidelines in New York City.
Contact your local legislators and push for a framework that prioritizes safety and order.