New York Bill Proposes Making ‘Masked Harassment’ a Criminal Offense

TL/DR –

The New York Legislature is considering a proposal that would make it a crime for people to wear face masks with the intent to harass or threaten someone. The bill, proposed by Sen. James Skoufis, would create the crime of “masked harassment” and would make it a misdemeanor for a person to wear a mask for the primary purpose of menacing or threatening violence against another person. The bill’s language has been criticized for being too vague and potentially being used to selectively enforce against people expressing free speech rights.

New York Legislature Considers Masked Harassment Law

In Albany, N.Y, a new bill was proposed in the New York legislature which could make it a crime to wear masks to intimidate or threaten. This proposed “Masked Harassment” law is an addition to the existing harassment laws in the state but includes exceptions for masks worn for medical reasons or during cold weather.

State Sen. James Skoufis, the Democrat who sponsored the bill, intends to develop a legislation that empowers law enforcement to target those using masks for menacing intents, while preventing a universal face coverings ban. The act will classify the act of threatening or intimidating someone while wearing a mask as a misdemeanor.

However, Allie Bohm from the New York Civil Liberties Union believes that the proposed law is vague and risks being used against individuals exercising their free speech rights. “There’s risk of getting into he-said-she-said situations while trying to deduce people’s intentions,” Bohm argued.

Democratic leaders of the Senate and Assembly, who control the state Legislature, have not yet commented on the proposal. Governor Kathy Hochul previously suggested a potential mask ban on New York City subways due to antisemitic acts being committed by masked individuals, an idea met with significant resistance.

The Governor recently expressed her openness to laws that impose greater penalties for crimes committed while masked. New York had an earlier law banning public face masks, passed in the 1800s, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, a conservative suburban county in Long Island passed a law banning public face masks in response to antisemitic incidents. Despite this, the pro-Palestinian demonstrations in New York since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October have been largely peaceful with prevalent mask-wearing among participants.

—
Read More US Political News