Mayor Mamdani to Support CURB Act to Restrict NYPD Protest Tactics

Mayor Zohran Mamdani will announce Monday his support for a City Council bill designed to restrict how the NYPD manages public protests, City & State NY reported.

The move changes the mayor's position as he faces mounting pressure from his political base to follow through on campaign promises regarding police reform. By backing the legislation, Mamdani is aligning himself with a legislative effort to fundamentally alter the department’s tactical approach to demonstrations.

The proposed CURB Act, sponsored by Council Member Chi Ossé, would prohibit the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group (SRG) from responding to protests. It also seeks to ban specific tactics frequently criticized by civil rights advocates, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, bicycles, long-range acoustic devices, and “kettling” techniques.

The Chair of the NYC Council’s Public Safety Committee, @OswaldFeliz , is blocking a hearing on the CURB Act. The NYPD’s Strategic Response Group brutalizes protesters with impunity. It’s time we put an end to it. pic.twitter.com/WJuxKsMuGF

— Post by @OsseChi on X

A restructuring of protest response

Mamdani does not intend to stop at legislative support; he plans to announce that the roughly 500-member SRG will be disbanded entirely. According to City & State NY, the mayor’s plan involves replacing the unit with a new structure composed of multiple specialized teams.

The proposal includes a civilian deescalation unit situated within the Office of Community Safety. This unit would serve as the primary responder alongside the NYPD’s existing First Amendment units. A new "Patrol Support" unit would also be established to handle responsibilities such as conducting mass arrests during demonstrations.

Mayor Mamdani to Support CURB Act to Restrict NYPD Protest Tactics

The creation of this Patrol Support unit was reportedly a necessary condition for securing the support of NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. While the police department has expressed support for the overall plan, the transition has met skepticism from reform advocates. Some activists have privately expressed concerns that the Patrol Support unit might simply function as a rebranded version of the controversial SRG.

Since its establishment in 2015 as a specialized counterterrorism and protest response force, the SRG has been a flashpoint for tension in New York City. Supporters within the department argue the unit’s members receive highly specialized training essential for managing violent demonstrations. Conversely, critics argue the unit’s aggressive tactics have historically escalated tensions during public gatherings.

Mamdani plans to disband NYPD's controversial Strategic Response Group — CBS New York

Council opposition stalls the CURB Act

Despite the mayor’s endorsement, the path to passing the CURB Act remains uncertain. While the bill currently has 25 sponsors—just one short of a majority—it faces opposition from key figures in the City Council.

Council Speaker Julie Menin has expressed opposition to the measure. Council Member Oswald Feliz, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, has not yet allowed the bill to advance to a formal hearing. This impasse has led to public friction between council members.

Mamdani plans to shut down NYPD security unit before Thanksgiving parade — Newsmax

Ossé has engaged in a social media campaign to pressure Feliz into moving the legislation forward. In a video released on October 9, Ossé criticized the delay, stating, “Democrats should not be standing in the way of the democratic process,” according to City & State NY.

However, some colleagues of Ossé have reacted negatively to his approach. One Democratic council member told City & State NY that Ossé’s “theatrics” have alienated certain members, suggesting that instead of rewarding his tactics, some might prefer to introduce an alternative version of the bill.

City council meeting vector illustration with effective business team employee brainstorming for important negotiation in fla

The New York Civil Liberties Union and Ossé have both pushed for the mayor’s endorsement of the CURB Act specifically to ensure that any changes to protest policing are codified in law. They argue that legislative action is the only way to prevent a future mayor from reversing the decision to disband the SRG.

Mamdani is expected to release a video alongside Ossé next week to officially announce his support for the bill.