NYC Mayor Eric Adams Calls for Mask Ban at Protests

Eric Adams, the Mayor of New York City, is appealing for a comprehensive prohibition on the use of masks during public protests. The Mayor’s primary concern is that the existing regulations are ineffective in curbing protesters who use masks as a cloak to engage in acts of vandalism and aggression without revealing their identities.

Throughout a recent discussion, Adams urged the state’s legislators to re-establish the prepandemic code on masks. This law would enable law enforcement officers to allege someone with a criminal offense for being in public with a mask on or being obscure. He voiced his considerations regarding the state regulations which he deems to inadequately maintain public serenity.

Adams cited concerns about the increase in antisemitic incidents. According to him, the state’s laws, even the amendments made by lawmakers recently, are insufficient to maintain public peace and restrict antisemitic offences. Adams stated that sighting people at protests wearing masks, and in some cases even gas masks, empowers them to partake in misconduct.

He posited that prohibiting such behavior and making people show their faces may discourage them from engaging in disorderly acts that are frequently seen at demonstrations and on university campuses. This could effectively prevent similar incidents that have occurred in various other municipalities.

The context for Adams’ comments was the ‘No Kings’ protests in which over 50,000 New Yorkers engaged, most of which were peaceful. The suggestion to prohibit masks was a response to the recent surge in antisemitic events and protests engaged by anonymous demonstrators.

However, this proposal met stiff opposition from advocates of civil liberties as well as others who argued that such changes would lead to differential policing of communities of color and potentially curb the rights to free speech of peaceful demonstrators.

The revised restrictions classify wearing masks with the intent to ‘harASS OR intimidate others’ as a misdemeanor. However, there are certain allowances for masks worn for health, religious, or weather-related reasons. This delicate balance attempts to separate antisocial behavior from necessary protection.

Amid the widespread COVID-19 pandemic, New York state repealed its 1845 law that prohibited the wearing of masks in public spaces. During this health crisis, state leaders and health officials strongly advised people to mask themselves to minimize the spread of the virus.

Throughout the pandemic, New York City made it mandatory for individuals using public transport to wear masks. Even as the health emergency eased, some people persisted in covering their faces as a shield against the low-quality air within the city’s transit system.

Nevertheless, the previous year’s demonstrations, which impacted various campuses, reignited concerns about protesters committing acts of vandalism and antisemitism while concealing their identity. A new bill surfaced earlier this year, suggesting that wearing masks during a protest or public gathering could be deemed a misdemeanor, possibly resulting in a 90-day term in jail.

In the face of these incidents, there was one county that ratified the Mask Transparency Act. This legislation criminalizes wearing masks or face coverings ‘with the intent to cover an individual’s identity in public spaces.’

The law, however, does not apply to individuals using masks for health, religious, or cultural purposes. Violating this law could lead to up to a year in jail and a fine of $1,000. This put a strict measure in place to demotivate individuals from participating in vandalistic protests while wearing masks.

The perceived necessity for such laws has been underscored by a series of vehement protests in New York, directed against the government. In these protests, participants often hid their faces behind scarves and other face coverings, thereby escaping identity revelation.

Adams’ plea for more explicit legislation regarding mask usage during protests reflects a growing concern over public safety, the law enforcement’s ability to hold individuals accountable, and the preservation of basic civil rights. It’s a complex issue as it intersects health needs, personal liberties, and public safety.

The balance between achieving a public order while preserving civil rights especially amid a pandemic adds complexity to the situation. With various traumatic incidents and public health emergencies like COVID-19 influencing the dialogue, the person behind the mask and their intent become decisive factors regarding mask regulations.