"I’m an activist-elected official, and a believer in the power of Kingian nonviolence and disruption. Little progress comes without protest – even some protests against this bill could have been limited or prohibited if it became law.
"I support the mayor’s decision to veto Intro 175-B as written. It’s easy to understand the desire to protect students and faculty in our educational spaces – but it’s also easy to see how this bill’s broad language and definitions could ultimately limit the very values and ideals we we are trying to teach young people, and have a chilling effect at a time when we need more of them speaking out, not less.
"I understand the valid concerns about intimidation or violence from some New Yorkers. Protections against such abuses are important – at the same time, this bill would have stripped some fundamental rights in the name of defending others. We have to be able to protect safety without prohibiting speech."