Nassau County Criminalizes Mask-Wearing in Public

In a significant legislative move, Nassau County lawmakers have approved a bill that will make it illegal to wear masks in public places, aimed at preventing individuals from concealing their identities. The bill, passed on Monday, includes exemptions for those wearing masks for health, religious, or cultural reasons. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions by New York Governor Kathy Hochul regarding a potential statewide ban, although no action has been taken at the state level. County Executive Bruce Blakeman has expressed strong support for the bill, arguing that masks can facilitate hate speech and violence. He stated, "Unless someone has a medical condition or a religious imperative, people should not be allowed to cover their face in a manner that hides their identity when in public." The legislation will classify mask-wearing for identity concealment as a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. However, the bill has faced criticism from civil rights advocates, including Susan Gottehrer, the New York Civil Liberties Union's Nassau County regional director. Gottehrer emphasized the importance of masks in protecting individuals expressing unpopular political opinions during protests. Democratic Legislator Arnold Drucker also voiced concerns, suggesting that the bill could infringe upon First Amendment rights. The debate surrounding the bill drew a crowd of public speakers both for and against the measure, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue and its implications for civil liberties in the region.