Nassau Enacts New Protest Protocols

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that protesters could be arrested if they deviated from their planned paths. They will get a summons.

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — As protests continue around the country and the county in the wake of the death of George Floyd, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced a new Free Speech Roadway Protection Protocol that all protests in Nassau County will have to follow.

Citing the need to keep both motorists and protesters safe, Curran said that the new protocols will help officials better know the routes of protests and make sure protesters stick to them. Protesters that deviate from planned routes could receive summons.

"This roadway protection protocol covers all marches, demonstrations and protests," Curran said. "We have a duty to protect the public's right to exercise their First Amendment rights safely, and to protect motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists."

Under this new protocol, march organizers will have to make the planned routes of their protests known with the Nassau County Police Department at least 24 hours beforehand. Anyone who deviates from the route and does not listen to orders from police to maintain it could be subject to "enforcement action," Curran said.

In addition, protesters will not be allowed to block traffic, congregate on streets, or enter private property without the permission of the property owner.

The plan, Curran said, will allow police to better protect both the protesters and non-protesters, as well as make sure that emergency services, such as fire trucks and ambulances, know where protests are so they can plan around those areas in cases of emergencies.

Curran's announcement comes just hours after Republicans in the Nassau County Legislature wrote an open letter to the county executive asking for more control over the protests.

"While protests should and must be accommodated," the legislators wrote, "residents deserve a policy from the administration that ensures the safety of the public, protection of law-abiding residents from harassment and uninterrupted access for emergency service vehicles."

The reason the changes are being made now, Curran said, is because of Long Island's current phase of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic. "We're seeing much more traffic on our roads than we've seen in months," she said.

Those who wish to organize a protest will have to call the Nassau County Police Community Affairs Department' at 516-573-7360 at least 24 hours before the planned protest to identify their planned routes with the police.