A Republican-controlled county on New York's Long Island passed a bill Monday making it a misdemeanor for individuals over the age of 16 to wear a mask in public.
The law also allows private businesses to prohibit masks from being worn inside their stores. passed it Twelve Republicans in the Nassau County Council voted in favor of the bill, while all seven Democrats abstained. according to To the Daily Voice.
Violators could face a year in jail or a $1,000 fine, although the bill provides for exceptions for religious or health reasons. The validity of these exceptions would be determined by police, the Daily Voice reported.
A mask ban in Nassau County, New York, passed on a party-line vote of 12 to 0 (with 7 abstentions), making wearing a mask a misdemeanor (with unknown health and religious exceptions) and giving police the power to impose $1,000 fines and jail time on mask wearers. pic.twitter.com/wgcXQhCC1u
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) August 5, 2024
In this bill, Legislature It found that “masks and face coverings” worn for reasons other than health or religious reasons “are frequently used as a prerequisite for harassment, intimidation and criminal activity.”
Republican Rep. Mazie Pilipu proposed the bill, saying its purpose is to prevent criminals who take part in violent protests from hiding their identities. (Related: New York City Mayor Eric Adams urges shoppers to stop wearing masks)
The Caller reached out to Pilip's office for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
“It's completely unacceptable that people think they can hide their faces and do whatever they want,” Pilip said. NBC News In July.
Video showed police dragging masked protesters away from the county assembly building, and at least one activist was reportedly arrested.
BREAKING: Nassau County, New York passes bill banning wearing masks in public
Mask activists had to be dragged away pic.twitter.com/PmuIxhEL23
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) August 6, 2024
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) issued a statement on Twitter calling the ban a “dangerous abuse of the law that will chill political activism.”
Criminalizing wearing a mask would force people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, as well as their families and loved ones, to decide whether to isolate themselves from public life or risk their health and even their lives.
Our statement: pic.twitter.com/iTPUwLi8zj
— NYCLU (@NYCLU) August 6, 2024
The group argued that the mask ban was also being applied to pro-Palestinian protesters.
Earlier this month, New York state Democratic Governor Kathy Hockle said she was considering banning masks on the New York City subway due to “anti-Semitic behavior,” according to the Associated Press. report. (Related article: New York may reintroduce mask mandates, but not in the way you think)
Prosecutors have charged a New York City man with attempted coercion after he allegedly ordered a “Zionist” to identify himself on a subway car during a protest over Israel and Palestine, NBC New York reported. report.
“Raise your hand if you're a Zionist.” Following a protest outside the Nova museum, which is hosting a special exhibit on atrocities committed at the music festival on October 7, keffiyeh-clad rioters boarded the New York City subway, demanding that “Zionists” identify themselves and warning passengers… pic.twitter.com/fF1Y3Xem9P
— The Israel Files (@theisraelfiles) June 11, 2024
Activists protested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington, DC, in July by burning an American flag and replacing it with the Palestinian flag.
BREAKING: Anti-Israel protester burns American flag in middle of crowd, yells 'Burn it!' pic.twitter.com/IUxP8QGuhh
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 24, 2024
Ohio's attorney general sent a letter in May to the presidents of the state's 34 four-year public universities informing them that a law that previously targeted Ku Klux Klan demonstrations could be used to bring felony charges against students who wear face coverings during pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the Los Angeles Times reported. report.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) letter He said that while masks “can be abused,” “particularly in today's surveillance environment, there is no justification for depriving peaceful protesters of their freedom.”
