Surge in Support for Mask Ban in New York Amid Rising Hate Incidents

[Social Media]

 

A new poll reveals that a staggering 75% of New Yorkers support implementing a mask ban, a measure propelled by recent troubling incidents of anti-Jewish harassment. The survey, conducted by Mercury Public Affairs for the civil rights coalition #UnMaskHateNY, underscores a growing consensus across diverse demographics that public safety must take precedence over unrestricted anonymity during protests.

 

The poll, which questioned 800 voters between December 16 and 20, 2024, found that 68% of respondents believe that while protecting free speech is crucial, it must be balanced with public safety. Only 23% supported the idea that individuals should have the right to wear whatever they choose, regardless of their behavior. These sentiments have been amplified by rising concerns about hate crimes, with 60% of voters indicating that discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion is worsening.

 

The survey highlighted heightened fears among Jewish voters, with 74% reporting that they feel discrimination and harassment have increased. Similarly, 67% of Black voters, 68% of Asian voters, and 76% of Jewish voters expressed concerns about being targeted due to their identity.

 

The sharp increase in antisemitic incidents, especially following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, has spurred frequent anti-Israel protests, many of which have seen masked individuals engaging in acts of intimidation and hate. In response, the #UnMaskHateNY coalition has urged state lawmakers to pass a mask ban akin to one used to curb Ku Klux Klan activities in the early 20th century.

 

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former Mayor of New Orleans, reflected on the historical context, stating, "There is no denying a link between anonymity and abuse, and we can never let that portion of our history return again into the present day."

 

Eric Goldstein, CEO of the UJA Federation of New York, supported the call for regulation, emphasizing the need for safety and accountability. He remarked, "These survey results reflect a state united against hate and a shared commitment to fostering safety in our public spaces."

 

Proposed legislation in New York, which would allow medical and religious exemptions, aims to impose penalties ranging from violations to Class A misdemeanors for those wearing masks during hate-filled acts. Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, one of the bill's sponsors, argued that the overwhelming support for this measure is a clear signal to lawmakers to take action.

 

However, opposition exists. The NY Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) has formed a coalition against the mask ban, arguing that it could lead to selective enforcement and undermine protections for those with disabilities and individuals engaging in political protests. Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel at NYCLU, stated, "Criminalizing masks puts New Yorkers’ health and safety at risk, opens the floodgates for selective and racially-biased enforcement, and undermines protections for political protest."

 

Based on a report by NYP 2024-01-15

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Sooooooo, masks DON'T stop transmission of respiratory diseases after all?

 

This is going to be a hard one for all the mask advocates to accept.

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sooooooo, masks DON'T stop transmission of respiratory diseases after all?

 

This is going to be a hard one for all the mask advocates to accept.

Actually this is a hard one for the terrorist supporters to accept. Now they'll have to show their faces in public, all that's left for them to hide is on a forum or social media anonymously.

[ballpoint]

I misread the headline as "Surge in Support for Musk Ban in New York Amid Rising Hate Incidents". 

Though I suppose that would have the same end result.

[connda]

We've come full circle - and it's hilarious! 

[Chomper Higgot]

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sooooooo, masks DON'T stop transmission of respiratory diseases after all?

 

This is going to be a hard one for all the mask advocates to accept.

I’m not sure where you got that from.

 

[Will B Good]

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Sooooooo, masks DON'T stop transmission of respiratory diseases after all?

 

This is going to be a hard one for all the mask advocates to accept.

 

This about anonymity and people ‘hiding their face' during a crime

 

What article did you read?

[Chomper Higgot]

While a law that elevates the penalties for a crime if a mask is worn during the commission of that crime makes sense and would obviously not infringe on first amendment rights (just as laws that elevate the penalties for using a gun in the commission of a crime do not infringe second amendment rights).

 

However banning masks is problematic on multiple fronts almost all relating to first amendment rights.

 

I’m with the NYCLU on this.

 

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

While a law that elevates the penalties for a crime if a mask is worn during the commission of that crime makes sense and would obviously not infringe on first amendment rights (just as laws that elevate the penalties for using a gun in the commission of a crime do not infringe second amendment rights).

 

However banning masks is problematic on multiple fronts almost all relating to first amendment rights.

 

I’m with the NYCLU on this.

 

 

 

 

I’m with the NYCLU on this.

 

let them wear their masks while they support terror attacks, hostage taking and burn the US and Israeli flags?

 

 

https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1826698363162820782

 

[Chomper Higgot]

For those interested in the arguments in favor of the legitimate place masks have in exercising the constitutionally protected right to protest, this article provides some background history, examples of authorities targeting legitimate protestors and rounds off with a very sound argument in favor of protecting the right to wear a mask while exercising the right to protest.

 

https://www.ifs.org/news/proper-masking-law-promotes-freedom/

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

For those interested in the arguments in favor of the legitimate place masks have in exercising the constitutionally protected right to protest, this article provides some background history, examples of authorities targeting legitimate protestors and rounds off with a very sound argument in favour of masks.

 

https://www.ifs.org/news/proper-masking-law-promotes-freedom/

Yea great, the Hamas supporters will love that.

[mrwebb8825]

Let them wear masks while violently protesting then order the police to shoot the ones with masks first. Argument over. 🤠

[tomazbodner]

I think it's about time that this forum removes anonymity and puts everyone's real name and photo on here.

 

Words are mightier than swords... or something.

[thaibeachlovers]

13 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

This about anonymity and people ‘hiding their face' during a crime

 

What article did you read?

I read the one that says they want to ban masks in public, which is where people wear masks to stop getting infected by other people. However, seems that masks don't stop transmission after all- which is what I said at the time.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

I think it's about time that this forum removes anonymity and puts everyone's real name and photo on here.

 

Words are mightier than swords... or something.

How would they know if it was a real name and photo?

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I read the one that says they want to ban masks in public, which is where people wear masks to stop getting infected by other people. However, seems that masks don't stop transmission after all- which is what I said at the time.

And yet you’ve produce zero evidence to back your claim.

 

 

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

How would they know if it was a real name and photo?

Same way immigration does. There are some forums in Europe where you have to enter your phone number and national ID for verification. It would make life of administrators here a lot easier. People dare to say a lot of very nasty things when hiding behind anonymity. Most of those have never seen a server access log.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, tomazbodner said:

Same way immigration does. There are some forums in Europe where you have to enter your phone number and national ID for verification. It would make life of administrators here a lot easier. People dare to say a lot of very nasty things when hiding behind anonymity. Most of those have never seen a server access log.

LOL. Somehow I suspect the admin of AN is not going to check out the ID and phone number of every poster on the forum.

 

BTW I live in a country that doesn't have national ID and there is no connection of my phone number to my name.

 

I am certain of one thing though. The day after AN demanded to post our real names and photos there would be very few posters on the form. It's not like most of us need to be on here to validate our lives.

 

 

[cdnvic]

9 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

I think it's about time that this forum removes anonymity and puts everyone's real name and photo on here.

 

Words are mightier than swords... or something.

Retroactively removing privacy is not something that we're considering. So long as people post within the rules, any reasonable alias is welcome, and will continue to be so.

[Will B Good]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I read the one that says they want to ban masks in public, which is where people wear masks to stop getting infected by other people. However, seems that masks don't stop transmission after all- which is what I said at the time.

 

Probably advisable to read the article which the post actually references in future……….?????

[Purdey]

Going through immigration anywhere in the world it is compulsory to show your face. It doesn't mean you are a suspected criminal but makes it easier to find those who are criminals. 

Protesters should be told to show their faces. 

[Watawattana]

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I read the one that says they want to ban masks in public, which is where people wear masks to stop getting infected by other people. However, seems that masks don't stop transmission after all- which is what I said at the time.

I think you are completely correct.  The key word you used is 'stop'.  I've not seen any article that says that masks "STOP" transmission.  All of the reviews of mask usage I read are very clear in stating that masks REDUCE THE RISK.  But not 'stop'.  I'm not going to waste time posting links, anyone can do a simple Google and find them for themselves.  One of the articles I read calculated, by comparing someone with a mask and without a mask, that a properly worn, well fitting masked stopped 94% of droplets that could carry a virus.  That is NOT 'stop'.

 

A lot of the articles are less clear on a mask wearer getting infected, maybe because infection can be through droplet contact with a person's eyes rather than through mouth of nose.

 

This all said, far too many stupid people decided not to wear a mask and not keep their hands clean as they decided it wouldn't 100% stop infection.  Idiots.

 

My own personal experience was that during all the time I had to wear a mask I never got any viral infection.  As soon as I stopped wearing a mask I got several colds in the period of a few months, plus one bout of COVID and a bout of flu.  

 

Helped by copious amounts of beer (somehow I can't find a link to a clinical trial though), my immune system has caught back up and I have not had a cold or any other infection for many months.  So, for my own personal clinical trial, beer is clearly the answer.  Cheers!

 

[Watawattana]

13 minutes ago, Purdey said:

Going through immigration anywhere in the world it is compulsory to show your face. It doesn't mean you are a suspected criminal but makes it easier to find those who are criminals. 

Protesters should be told to show their faces. 

In Hong Kong, just before the COVID restrictions kicked in, the wearing of a mask was banned for the same reason as NYC is looking at.  When COVID kicked in, mask wearing became mandatory.

 

For quite a long time, both wearing a mask and NOT wearing a mask was illegal.  

 

The wearing of a mask during a protest was the illegal part for clarity, not illegal away from a protest, but that didn't stop the mickey takers pointing this out.

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, Watawattana said:

In Hong Kong, just before the COVID restrictions kicked in, the wearing of a mask was banned for the same reason as NYC is looking at.  When COVID kicked in, mask wearing became mandatory.

 

For quite a long time, both wearing a mask and NOT wearing a mask was illegal.  

 

The wearing of a mask during a protest was the illegal part for clarity, not illegal away from a protest, but that didn't stop the mickey takers pointing this out.

Honk Kong, that oppressive surveillance police state.

 

Not the best example to follow.

[Watawattana]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Honk Kong, that oppressive surveillance police state.

 

Not the best example to follow.

Yeah, not sure what country is a great example to follow for everything of course.  HK generally did quite a good job with COVID though.  Just my opinion though.  Plenty of other things I might not comment on though.

[Chomper Higgot]

50 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

Yeah, not sure what country is a great example to follow for everything of course.  HK generally did quite a good job with COVID though.  Just my opinion though.  Plenty of other things I might not comment on though.

“Plenty of other things I might not comment on though.”

 

And there’s the rub.

[Watawattana]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

“Plenty of other things I might not comment on though.”

 

And there’s the rub.

Yup!

[thaibeachlovers]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

Probably advisable to read the article which the post actually references in future……….?????

Why?

Q When is a mask ban not going to prevent transmission of respiratory disease

A In New York.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

The wearing of a mask during a protest was the illegal part for clarity, not illegal away from a protest, but that didn't stop the mickey takers pointing this out.

Deservedly so.

I've always said that wearing one of those normal masks was not going to stop the spread, but it's bureaucratic insanity to claim that respiratory diseases won't get spread during a protest when people are much closer to each other than normal, when they say masks will stop the spread at all other times.

[Bkk Brian]

On 1/15/2025 at 3:05 AM, Social Media said:

Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League and a former Mayor of New Orleans, reflected on the historical context, stating, "There is no denying a link between anonymity and abuse, and we can never let that portion of our history return again into the present day."

Deflections about covid, don't alter the fact of why this mask ban is voted for by the will of the people