State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz emphasized that the proposed bill will make it 'unlawful to hide one's identity to harass, occupy and menace people with impunity,' highlighting the urgent need for such legislation.
Jonathan Greenblatt of the Anti-Defamation League mentioned the legislative effort as a top priority and remarked, 'It’s going to take work to make sure legislators understand, on both sides of the aisle, that there’s nothing political about prejudice.'
Concerns were raised about civil liberties, but supporters argued that 'at least some mask-wearing protesters and vandals are emboldened to propagate hate because their identities are cloaked,' which hinders accountability.
The proposed legislation would impose penalties for those who wear masks during hate-filled protests, indicating that 'violations could range from aggravated harassment to a Class A misdemeanor with potential imprisonment,' according to Dinowitz.
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