(Cupventi.com) – Lawmakers in Nassau County, a suburban area in New York, have passed a new bill that will soon make it illegal to wear masks in public as a means to conceal one’s identity.
This legislation, approved on Monday, includes exceptions for those who wear masks for health, religious, or cultural reasons. Proponents, from the Republican-majority county, argue that the measure is aimed at preventing violent protesters from hiding their identities.
The bill was introduced by Mazi Pilip, a Republican District 10 legislator. In a conversation with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Pilip stated that the lawmakers had responded to the community’s concerns about safety. “Nassau County yesterday took the lead,” Pilip said, referring to Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s discussions about a similar statewide ban since May, which has not yet been enacted.
Pilip emphasized the importance of free speech, noting that while the county encourages rallies and the expression of concerns, it will not tolerate individuals who use masks to conceal their identities while engaging in hate speech or violent activities.
The use of masks, which became commonplace during the COVID-19 pandemic, has also been seen during recent anti-Israel protests. Legislator Howard Kopel mentioned that the bill was partly in response to antisemitic incidents involving masked individuals since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7.
However, the bill has faced criticism. Susan Gottehrer, the New York Civil Liberties Union’s Nassau County regional director, defended the use of masks at protests, stating that masks protect individuals expressing unpopular political opinions. Gottehrer warned that making anonymous protest illegal could deter political action and lead to selective enforcement and retaliation against protesters.
The vote in the Nassau County Legislature fell along party lines, with 12 legislators in favor and seven abstaining. Democratic Legislator Arnold Drucker expressed concerns that the bill might infringe on First Amendment rights. Conversely, County Executive Bruce Blakeman supported the bill, asserting that, barring medical or religious reasons, people should not be allowed to conceal their identities in public.
Once signed by Blakeman, which is expected, the bill will make wearing a mask in public to hide one’s identity a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder assured that officers would discern whether masks were worn for legitimate reasons and would engage with individuals to determine the intent behind wearing a mask.
The legislative session on Monday saw numerous public speakers both supporting and opposing the bill, and one woman was arrested for disruptive behavior. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has also shown support for mask bans in certain situations, advocating for such measures to reduce crime.