(TheConservativeTimes.org) – Lawmakers in a New York county have approved a bill that would prohibit wearing masks in public places. They have said that concealing your identity is a misdemeanor offense and could be punishable with up to one year of jail time and a one thousand dollar fine.
The Mask Transparency Act in Nassau County, Long Island has said that this would help lower crime rates during protests. Legislator Howard Kopel said that this bill was introduced as a response to “anti semitic incidents often perpetrated by those in masks” in the event of protests.
“This legislature finds that masks and facial coverings that are not worn for health and safety concerns or for religious or celebratory purposes are often used as a predicate to harassing, menacing or criminal behavior,” the bill said.
There are some exceptions to the bill such as wearing masks for health or religious reasons. It also gave authorities the right to demand that people remove their masks during a traffic stop or if the officer has reason to believe the person is suspected of doing criminal activity.
Some are opposing the bill saying that it’s threatening protestors from anonymity in protesting. They also have argued that not allowing masks could pose a risk of COVID-19 as well.
Susan Gottehrer, regional director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said, “Nassau County’s mask ban is a dangerous misuse of the law to score political points and target protestors.”
The Act was approved in a split decision but ended with a Republican majority vote.
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