In a recent development in suburban New York, Nassau County legislators have given the green light to a bill that prohibits the wearing of masks in public spaces.
The bill, however, does make allowances for individuals who don masks for health-related reasons or due to religious or cultural customs.
As reported by ABC News, the bill, which was passed on Monday by the Republican-dominated Nassau County Legislature on Long Island, is aimed at preventing violent protesters from concealing their identities. Legislator Howard Kopel stated that the bill was a response to "antisemitic incidents, often perpetrated by those in masks" that have occurred since the onset of the latest Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7. The bill was unanimously supported by all 12 Republicans in the legislature, while the seven Democrats abstained from voting.
The move by the county lawmakers comes in the wake of New York's Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, expressing in June that she was contemplating a ban on face masks in the New York City subway system. However, no specific plan has been put forward to implement such a ban, which, similar to the Nassau measure, was suggested in response to the increase in mask-wearing protesters.
The New York Civil Liberties Union has voiced its disapproval of the Nassau mask ban, deeming it a violation of free speech rights. "Masks protect people who express political opinions that are unpopular," said Susan Gottehrer, the group's Nassau County regional director. She further added, "Making anonymous protest illegal chills political action and is ripe for selective enforcement, leading to doxxing, surveillance, and retaliation against protesters.
The Nassau bill categorizes wearing a facial covering to conceal one's identity in public as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The bill does, however, exempt those who wear masks for health, safety, "religious or cultural purposes, or for the peaceful celebration of a holiday or similar religious or cultural event for which masks or facial coverings are customarily worn.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, is anticipated to sign the bill. "Unless someone has a medical condition or a religious imperative, people should not be allowed to cover their face in a manner that hides their identity when in public," he declared in a statement following the legislatures vote.
Newsday has reported that the legislative chambers were filled with public speakers both in favor of and against the bill. Supporters argued that the bill would prevent protesters who engage in harassment or violence from escaping responsibility. On the other hand, critics argued that it would violate the health privacy laws of people with disabilities and would likely not be enforced equitably across different communities.
Arnold Drucker, a Democratic Legislator, expressed his concerns before the vote, stating that the bill overstepped and could be detrimental to First Amendment rights. This development underscores the ongoing debate over individual rights and public safety, a conversation that continues to shape the political landscape of the nation.
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