Long Island law could ban face masks, with anyone who flouts rule facing $1,000 fine or jail time
A group of legislators on Long Island are working to enact a new law that will ban face masks - and those who violate could face a hefty fine or potential jail time.
Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip proposed the bill after a concerned citizen told Pilip she was attacked by a masked demonstrator during a recent Pro-Palestinian protest. The outspoken lawmaker said she wants to unmask those responsible for the violence.
'Attacking and vandalizing and really hiding behind the freedom of speech,' the Great Neck lawmaker told NBC 4 New York.
'Having them covering their faces, thinking they can do whatever they want. This is absolutely unacceptable.'
She sponsored the legislation that would make it a crime to wear a mask that hides your identity in public, and the offense would be punishable of up to $1,000 and possible time behind bars. Those exempt are people who wear masks for health or religious reasons.
The bill that was proposed by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip (pictured) from Great Neck after a citizen told her how she was attacked at a recent protest. She wants to unmask those responsible for the violence
UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside Columbia University on June 28 against people using masks to conceal their identities to commit crime or hate speech
Twelve Republican legislators in Nassau County supported the bill which can be voted into a law as soon as next month - which would make Nassau County the first municipality in the tri-state area to ban face masks.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic masks were mandatory, but the lawmaker told NBC 4 New York that criminals are now taking advantage.
In March, three masked thugs attempted to steal a man's car in Cedarhurst.
When the driver refused, he was hit multiple times but once he started yelling the two men and one women fled, ABC 7 News reported. Fortunately, the man was not seriously injured in the attack.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul considered placing a mask ban for those taking New York City Transit to help riders feel safer.
UnMask Hate NY held a press conference outside of Columbia University last month attended by lawmakers, civil rights and religious leaders demanding protestors from wearing masks.
Columbia was a hotbed of Pro-Palestinian protests this spring, with masked rabble rousers causing havoc and intimidating Jewish students.
The UnMask Hate campaign was launched as hate crimes escalated over the last few months and to help protect Jews and marginalized communities who are being terrorized.
Three masked bandits are pictured attempting to stealing a man's car in Cedarhurst, Long Island before fleeing after the man yelled
The legislation was sponsored by Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip from Great Neck
The proposed ban is also being discussed on the state level.
Debra Mule, a Democratic legislator in Nassau County said she supports the proposal, but said she 'wants to make sure it doesn't target certain people.'
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) raised questions on how the bill would be enforced.
'This puts people of color and protestors that the government disagrees with in its crosshairs,' Susan Gottehrer, the Nassau County Regional Director of the NYCLU said in a statement.
'People are not health professionals and they should not be in charge of deciding who needs a mask and who doesn't.'
Some Long Islanders were confused about the proposed mandate.
One woman asked a local NBC reporter, 'How are they going to distinguish if someone wearing a mask has a cold or is going to rob a store?
Another was perplexed and said, 'How could they enforce that? They can't.'
