A group of lawmakers on Long Island is working to pass a new law that would ban face masks, with those who break the law facing hefty fines and even jail time.
Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip introduced the bill after a concerned citizen told Pilip she was attacked by a masked protester during a recent pro-Palestinian protest. The outspoken lawmaker said she wants to expose those responsible for the violence.
“Attacks and vandalism and really hiding behind freedom of speech,” the Great Neck lawmaker said NBC 4 New York.
“That they cover their faces and think they can do whatever they want. This is absolutely unacceptable.”
She sponsored legislation that would make it a crime to wear a mask that conceals your identity in public, punishable by up to $1,000 and possibly jail time. Those exempted are people who wear masks for health or religious reasons.
The bill, which was introduced by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip (pictured) of Great Neck after a citizen told her how she was attacked during a recent protest, seeks to expose those responsible for the violence
UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside Columbia University on June 28 against people who use masks to hide their identities to commit crimes or spread hate speech.
Twelve Republican lawmakers in Nassau County supported the bill, which could be voted on as early as next month. It would make Nassau County the first municipality in the tri-state area to ban face masks.
Masks were required during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, but lawmakers told NBC 4 New York that criminals are now taking advantage of that.
In March, three masked criminals attempted to steal a man’s car in Cedarhurst.
When the driver refused, he was shot several times, but when he started screaming, the two men and a woman fled. ABC 7 News reported. Fortunately, the man was not seriously injured in the attack.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul considered instituting a mask ban for riders on New York City public transportation to make travelers feel safer.
UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside Columbia University last month, attended by lawmakers, civil rights leaders and religious leaders, urging protesters not to wear masks.
This spring, Columbia was a hotbed of pro-Palestinian protests, with masked rioters causing chaos and intimidating Jewish students.
The UnMask Hate campaign was launched as hate crimes have increased in recent months and to protect Jews and marginalized communities who are being terrorized.
Three masked bandits attempt to steal a man’s car in Cedarhurst, Long Island, before fleeing after the man screamed
The legislation was sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip of Great Neck
The proposed ban is also being discussed at the state level.
Debra Mule, a Democratic lawmaker in Nassau County, said she supports the proposal but “wants to make sure it’s not targeted at certain people.”
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) raised questions about the bill’s enforcement.
“This singles out people of color and protesters the government disagrees with,” Susan Gottehrer, Nassau County regional director of the NYCLU, said in a statement.
“People are not health care professionals and they should not be in charge of who needs a mask and who doesn’t.”
Some Long Islanders were confused about the proposed mandate.
A woman asked a local NBC reporter, “How can they tell if someone wearing a mask has a cold or is going to rob a store?
Another was astonished and said, ‘How can they enforce this? They can’t.’