NY governor suggests face-mask prohibition to battle anti-Semitism
Date
6/23/2024 8:43:01 AM
(MENAFN) Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State, a Democrat, has put forth a legislative proposal to reintroduce a ban on face masks in the New York City subway system as a measure to combat incidents of anti-Semitism. Hochul emphasized that the resurgence of such a ban is aimed at curbing criminal activities where perpetrators hide their identities using face coverings.
Before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, New York had a pre-existing law prohibiting the wearing of face masks in public spaces. However, this regulation was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, and mandatory face coverings were subsequently required for all subway riders until September 2022, under the directive of city authorities.
During a press conference held in Albany on Thursday, Hochul indicated ongoing discussions with lawmakers to finalize the specifics of the proposed legislation, which she stressed must include provisions for "common-sense exemptions." These exemptions would allow the continued use of face masks for health-related, cultural, or religious reasons.
Hochul underscored the necessity of the ban, asserting that it is imperative to prevent individuals from using masks as a shield to evade accountability for criminal or threatening behaviors. She reiterated her administration's commitment to finding a balanced solution to address these concerns effectively.
The initiative comes in response to recent incidents, as highlighted by Hochul, including a report earlier in the week of individuals wearing face masks who allegedly took control of a subway car, causing fear among passengers by chanting offensive remarks related to Hitler and anti-Semitic sentiments.
Mayor Eric Adams of New York City has also expressed support for revisiting some form of a mask ban, aligning with Hochul's stance that mask-wearing should not be permitted during protests or situations where public safety and accountability are compromised.
Hochul clarified that her decision to propose this ban was motivated by a need to ensure public safety and combat instances of hate speech and intimidation in public spaces, particularly on public transport networks where incidents of anti-Semitism have been reported.
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