An Israeli-American legislator proposed a bill that was recently passed by a Long Island county legislature. The bill will make it illegal to wear masks during protests.
As anti-Israel demonstrations and incidents of antisemitism have risen across the state, there is a growing movement to prohibit the use of face coverings during protests. This particular bill is a part of that larger effort.
On Monday, the Nassau County Legislature approved the measure, joining the efforts of New York State officials who are pushing for similar measures. However, civil rights groups and pro-Palestinian activists have opposed this initiative. The idea has garnered support from New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
Mazi Pilip, an Israeli-American Republican and a vocal supporter of Israel as well as an opponent of antisemitism, proposed the bill. She recently ran for Congress, but was unsuccessful. Pilip was compelled to take action due to the rise in antisemitism and protests that have been taking place at universities in New York.
During the legislative committee meeting on Monday, Pilip expressed the alarming surge of hate incidents in New York State, particularly targeting Jewish people. He emphasized that these incidents involve physical and verbal assault, and even more concerning, the attackers often conceal their identities with masks, revealing their cowardice.
The objective of the “Mask Transparency Act” legislation is to restrict the use of masks or facial coverings in public places to conceal one’s identity.
According to the legislation, masks are frequently utilized as a precursor to intimidating, harassing or engaging in criminal activities.
Wearing masks in public places by individuals who “congregate” will be banned under the new measure. However, the definition of the size of these groups has not been specified. Unless individuals wearing masks are engaged in threatening, intimidating, or harassing behavior or are breaking the law, they will not be prosecuted. The law stipulates that the offense will be considered a misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to a year.
Exceptions to the law include masks worn for health and safety reasons, religious or cultural purposes, and peaceful celebrations where masks are traditionally worn.
The legislature’s 12 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while its seven Democrats chose to abstain. The bill was passed solely along party lines.
As soon as Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signs the bill into law, the legislation will come into effect. It is worth noting that he has expressed his support for the bill.
During the committee meeting, members of the public expressed their opposition to the measure and deemed it a threat to the immunocompromised individuals as well as a violation of civil rights. The meeting turned chaotic as there were instances of shouting, prompting the administrators to warn that the room would be cleared unless order was restored.
According to the Nassau County division of the New York Civil Liberties Union, the bill is a perilous exploitation of the law to gain political advantages and single out protesters.
According to Susan Gottehrer, the Nassau County regional director of the NYCLU, wearing masks serves as a safeguard for individuals who voice out unpopular political opinions. She believes that outlawing anonymous protests could hinder political action and may result in selective enforcement, making protesters vulnerable to doxxing, surveillance, and other forms of retaliation.
In June, several Jewish and Black advocacy groups joined forces to advocate for similar legislation at the state level. They drew a parallel between the current wave of antisemitism perpetrated by masked attackers and the actions of the Ku Klux Klan’s hooded members in the past.
As antisemitism has been on the rise in New York City, efforts are being made to address the issue. Additionally, pro-Palestinian street protests have caused turmoil in the city and the Jewish community. Demonstrators wearing masks during these protests have made it difficult for law enforcement to prosecute crimes related to the protests, including the occupation of a Columbia University building earlier this year.
Several leftist and pro-Palestinian organizations have spoken out against the movement to resist wearing masks, arguing that it undermines the right to assemble freely and poses a danger to those who are immunocompromised. One such organization, Jews for Economic and Racial Justice, has supported a campaign called “Jews for Mask Rights” as a means of opposing the proposed legislation.
In the 1800s, New York State had a law that prohibited the wearing of masks, but this was later repealed in 2020 due to the widespread use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
