Mamdani Weighs Changes to NYPD Protest and Counterterrorism Unit
On November 4, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration was moving to revisit the New York Police Department’s Strategic Response Group (SRG), a unit assigned to respond to terrorist attacks, mass-casualty incidents and some protests. Officials were discussing a policy change, with an announcement expected soon and a decision potentially coming the following week. The details had not been settled.
The renewed discussions followed criticism from Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic Socialist and House member-elect whom Mamdani endorsed. After she was pushed during a protest in October, Chevalier accused the SRG of misconduct and, alongside City Council member Chi Osse, urged council public safety chair Oswald Feliz to advance a bill banning the unit. The SRG did not respond to that protest.
Mamdani campaigned on disbanding the group, but earlier discussions were put aside after officials concluded the change would be politically difficult. A complete shutdown could leave the NYPD without a dedicated unit for terrorism or mass-casualty emergencies. The mayor has said he favors disbandment, while the administration is now considering a way to address the unit’s role.
The SRG has drawn criticism over its handling of demonstrations, including tactics used during protests following George Floyd’s killing. Some tactics have since been barred under a civil lawsuit. Supporters say the unit is necessary for major emergencies; critics argue it should not be used at First Amendment demonstrations.
The unit responded to just over a dozen protests this year and made fewer than 10 arrests, according to the account. Chevalier and Osse were among those arrested outside the United Nations during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit. The two were recently seen meeting with Mamdani at City Hall as discussions resumed.
Mamdani Faces Pressure to Curb NYPD’s Protest Unit
On November 4, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration was again considering changes to the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, a unit critics say has no place at First Amendment demonstrations. The renewed review followed pressure from Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Democratic Socialist and House member-elect, and City Council member Chi Osse, who want the unit banned.
Chevalier’s demand puts Mamdani’s campaign promise to disband the SRG back in focus. He had previously put the plan aside after discussions showed how difficult it would be to navigate. Now officials are working on a policy change, with an announcement expected soon and a possible decision the following week. The specifics remain unsettled.
The conflict sharpened after Chevalier was pushed during an October protest and accused the SRG of misconduct. The unit had not responded to that demonstration. Chevalier and Osse used the episode to urge council public safety chair Oswald Feliz to move a bill banning the group. Chevalier and Osse were later among fewer than 10 people arrested in connection with protests the unit attended this year.
The administration faces a real operational question: a full disbandment could leave the NYPD without a dedicated terror or mass-casualty response unit. But the SRG’s role in demonstrations has drawn sustained criticism, including backlash over its tactics during protests after George Floyd’s killing. Some of those tactics are now prohibited under a civil lawsuit.
The unit attended just over a dozen protests this year. Its supporters emphasize emergency response; critics argue that the police should not deploy such a force at demonstrations protected by the First Amendment. Chevalier and Osse have recently met with Mamdani at City Hall as officials revisit the issue.
Mamdani’s SRG Review Risks Weakening NYC Emergency Response
On November 4, Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration was considering changes to the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, a unit responsible for responding to terrorist attacks and mass-casualty incidents as well as some protests. The review follows pressure from Democratic Socialist House member-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier, who has called for the force to be disbanded.
Mamdani campaigned on scrapping the SRG, but earlier talks were shelved after officials found the change difficult to manage politically. A total shutdown could leave the nation’s largest police department without a dedicated terrorism or mass-casualty response unit. The administration is now developing a possible policy change, with an announcement expected soon and action potentially coming the following week.
The latest push came after Chevalier accused the SRG of misconduct following an October protest where she was pushed. The unit did not respond to that demonstration. Chevalier and City Council member Chi Osse then urged council public safety chair Oswald Feliz to advance a bill banning it. They were among fewer than 10 people arrested in connection with protests attended by the unit this year.
The debate is not simply about protest tactics: it is also about whether New York would retain a specialized force for emergencies. The SRG responded to just over a dozen protests this year, and its supporters say dismantling it could leave residents vulnerable during a terror attack or mass shooting. Critics point to past crowd-control tactics, some of which are now barred under a civil lawsuit.
Mamdani’s administration must weigh demands from its left flank against the risks of removing an emergency-response capability. Chevalier and Osse were recently seen meeting with the mayor at City Hall as the review continued.
Reported by New York Post, Daily Mail US.
