MINEOLA, N.Y. (GreaterGC) — A suburban New York county has officially banned people from wearing masks in public except for health or religious reasons.
In response to violent protests and concerns over individuals obscuring their identities, Nassau County officials in suburban New York have enacted a new law banning the wearing of masks in public, with exceptions only for health, religious, or cultural reasons.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican, signed the legislation on Wednesday, referring to it as a “bill that protects the public.” The county, located on Long Island just east of New York City, passed the ban on face coverings through its Republican-controlled Legislature on August 5. Legislator Howard Kopel noted that the law was a response to an increase in antisemitic incidents, often involving masked individuals, since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated on October 7.
The newly implemented law makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, for anyone in Nassau County to wear a face covering in public with the intent to conceal their identity. Exemptions are provided for those wearing masks for health, safety, religious, or cultural purposes, as well as during the peaceful celebration of holidays or cultural events where masks are traditionally worn.
Blakeman emphasized that while the law was initially prompted by masked campus protesters, it also serves as a broader measure to combat crime. “This is a broad public safety measure,” Blakeman stated during a news conference. “We’ve seen people using masks to shoplift, to carjack, to rob banks, and this is activity we want to stop.”
However, civil liberties advocates have criticized the mask ban, arguing that it infringes on First Amendment rights and could lead to biased enforcement. Susan Gottehrer, regional director of the New York Civil Liberties Union for Nassau, expressed concerns that the law’s “so-called health and religious exceptions” might allow police officers, who are not experts in these areas, to make subjective decisions on who needs a mask and who doesn’t, potentially leading to unjust incarcerations.
Gottehrer accused Blakeman of prioritizing a “culture war” over the rights and well-being of Nassau County residents.
The move by Nassau County follows a similar suggestion by New York’s Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul, who in June considered a ban on face masks in the New York City subway system. However, Hochul has not moved forward with any formal plans.
