Manhattan, NY — On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Senator Chan and cosponsors HL Dynasty, Spony (Small Property Owners of NY) and Remny (Real Estate Management of NY), hosted a rally outside 250 Broadway against the proposed Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA) legislation. Senator Chan amongst many other protestors, landlords, real estate brokers and property owners stood in front of the building with a shared goal in mind: Stop COPA.

COPA is a proposed bill that would require multi-family property owners to give nonprofit organizations and tenant groups the first right to purchase their property before it can be sold to any other buyer. This policy expands government involvement in private property transactions and significantly limits an owner’s ability to sell freely. Under the bill, owners would be required to offer their property to designated nonprofits first, even before selling to family members. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to $30,000. By restricting lawful ownership rights and imposing punitive penalties, this bill undermines private property protections and establishes an unjust precedent.

As the protestors marched, they yelled, “My house, my decision,” and “Stop the COPA bill!” They voiced out their opinions and shared the frustration they carried. Many of these property owners felt betrayed by their city council members and expressed the concerns they had with this bill if it’s enacted. 

At 2 PM, a press conference followed.

The protestors moved across the street, standing nearby Jacob Wrey Mould Fountain, as a press conference followed. Senator Chan made an appearance and stated

We buy our homes and you tell me that I can’t sell my home to my own son or daughter because somebody else wants it. Can you imagine how crazy it is, that a child can grow up in a house and not be able to buy it from their parents? There is a lot of underlying deviations that we don’t see right now and there’s definitely gonna be ways out for somebody to make money off your property.

Many other individuals agreed and added on the imposed distress this bill brings onto building owners. The fight against this bill continues and is set to receive a final vote by the New York City Council later today. Senator Chan stands strongly against this bill, and continues to stand up with his constituents.

For more information: 
CONTACT:
The Office of Senator Stephen T. Chan
Phone: (718) 333-0311
Email: Chan@nysenate.gov