Nassau County, NY Passes Bill Making Face Masks Illegal in Public Spaces — Mask Activists Forcefully Removed During Meeting
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Nassau County Republicans have passed a landmark bill banning face masks in public spaces, citing public safety and the need to combat crime during protests.
The legislation, dubbed the Mask Transparency Act, received overwhelming support with a 12-0 vote, as seven Democrats abstained from the process, the Gothamist reported.
This legislation establishes a misdemeanor offense for mask-wearing in public, punishable by hefty fines and potential jail time. Exceptions are made for religious and health reasons, but the overarching goal is clear: to enhance public safety by ensuring that individuals cannot conceal their identities.
Presiding Officer Howard Kopel emphasized the necessity of the bill in light of rising antisemitic incidents linked to masked individuals since Hamas’ attack on Israel.
