Staff Reports
New York City has managed to pull off a stunning first: the state is now home to the inaugural ban on face coverings in the United States, all thanks to a new law whipped up by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. This bold move comes in response to public outcry concerning the masked bandits who attempted to mask their identities while engaging in violent protests linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. It seems that, when given the chance to throw a tantrum today, some folks decided that a face mask might keep them anonymous while they went about their “expressive” vandalism.
The timing couldn’t be more apropos. Blakeman’s law comes after a series of chaotic events earlier this year at Columbia University, where certain masked protesters, while espousing thoughts and sentiments bordering on antisemitic, felt that face coverings were the perfect accessory to avoid scrutiny. In a moment of genuine concern, Governor Kathy Hochul even floated the idea of restricting mask use in New York City’s subway where antisemitic incidents had become oddly routine. Yet, as is often the case with liberal politicians, that idea fizzled out faster than a soggy firecracker.
Nassau County, NY just passed a bill banning face masks in public unless it’s for the health, religion, or celebratory purposes…
Did a little bit of sanity returning to New York?
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) August 6, 2024
The legislation, undoubtedly a beacon of bipartisan wisdom, passed along party lines, with Republicans lining up to support it while Democrats opted to abstain, perhaps unsure if they preferred to wear masks or not. The law classifies hiding one’s identity behind a mask as a misdemeanor, opening the door for penalties of up to a year in jail or a stiff $1,000 fine. There are, of course, allowances for health and religious reasons, because even in crime prevention, the law should recognize that not everyone opts to don a mask solely for nefarious reasons.
Blakeman hailed the law as a protective measure for the public, and he even noted that the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, is on board, eagerly hoping the City Council would follow suit with their own legislation. But in true partisan fashion, the left didn’t miss a beat in criticizing the new law. Nassau County’s Democratic Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton tossed out terms like “political theater,” suggesting that Blakeman was merely putting on a show instead of offering a serious solution. It seems the Democrats believe that debating over a bill—designed to thwart political violence—is better suited for discussions over brunch rather than the urgent law-making at hand.
The New York Civil Liberties Union quickly jumped on the bandwagon, lamenting what they claim is an infringement upon free speech rights. They argue that the masks serve to protect individuals who wish to voice controversial political opinions. However, Blakeman countered that notion, firmly stating that the right to anonymity does not extend to hiding in plain sight while engaging in less-than-legal endeavors. Who would have thought that protecting the public from masked anarchists could stir such a cacophony? It’s almost as if some groups think expressing opinions should come with a disguise.
