The Nassau County legislature plans to move a regulation banning demonstrators from hiding their identities with masks to sort out rising antisemitism and hate crimes — the primary native authorities to take action.
“Speak is affordable. What I’m asking for is motion. We’re going after the thugs who’re terrorizing the Jewish neighborhood. I’m sick and uninterested in it,” stated Nassau Legislator Mazi Pilip.
“Nobody is being held accountable. It’s been very vicious. We’ve seen it from California to New York,” stated Pilip, an Ethiopian -born Jew from Nice Neck.
Pilip stated she hoped Nassau’s regulation — anticipated to be accredited in two weeks — will “put strain” on Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state legislature and Mayor Eric Adams and the Council — to observe go well with.
The invoice would prohibit anybody over 16 years of age from carrying masks or different face coverings on public streets and property — with exceptions for wholesome and security causes or spiritual customized.
Violators might get slapped with fines as much as $1,000 or as much as a 12 months in jail, a misdemeanor crime.
Pilip, who ran because the Republican candidate within the particular election for 3rdh Congressional District protecting components of Nassau County and Queens in February, stated protesters shouldn’t be permitted to take advantage of free speech rights to advertise hate and commit crimes.
“We don’t cowl our faces. We don’t disguise,” she stated.
One New York Metropolis lawmaker praised Pilip’s invoice.
“Nice to see decisive motion popping out of Nassau County. Now it’s time for New York Metropolis to do the identical similar!,” stated Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn).
“Are we going to proceed permitting masked criminals and cowards run our streets as a result of we prioritize defending their skill to cover over all else?,” added Vernikov, who helps a citywide and statewide masks ban.
Nationwide civil-rights leaders from Jewish and black communities final month launched a “#UnmaskHateNY” coalition as a part of a marketing campaign to discourage bigots from utilizing masks to cover their identities — likening the motion to bringing down the Ku Klux Klan.
The #UnMaskHateNY organizers embody leaders of the City League, the NAACP, the Anti-Defamation League and clergy.
“Localities taking motion can solely be considered as a constructive step, and we hope this transfer by Nassau County will improve momentum for a much-needed statewide ban on masked intimidation to make sure that all New Yorkers are secure from focusing on, terror and harassment by those that hid their identities to menace with impunity.,” a spokesman for the #UnMaskHateNY marketing campaign stated.
The New York Civil Liberties Union opposed the masks ban as stifling the proper to protest and questioned its legality.
“Banning masks places Nassau County residents’ well being and security in danger and it gained’t cease crime — it’s a lose-lose proposition,” stated Susan Gottehrer, Nassau Nation Regional Director of the NYCLU.
Jewish New Yorkers are involved about rising antisemitism.
Practically half of Jewish voters have felt in danger due to their spiritual id whereas dwelling within the Empire State — whereas greater than a 3rd stated that New York is now not a secure haven for his or her folks, in accordance with a ballot launched Wednesday by the pro-Israel New York Solidarity Community.
New York State had a two century previous ban on public masks carrying, which was repealed in 2020 in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic to guard public well being.
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