Monday’s budget deal between Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers includes provisions aimed at cracking down on individuals wearing masks to commit disruptive behavior and crime.
While not an outright ban on masks, the language in the $254 billion budget states that a new Class B misdemeanor will be created to “crack down” on perps who use masks to conceal their identity when committing a Class A misdemeanor or higher crime or fleeing the scene immediately after committing such a crime.
“I promised New Yorkers to fight like hell to put money back in their pockets and make our streets and subways safer. That’s exactly what this budget will do,” Hochul said. “Good things take time, and this budget is going to make a real difference for New York families.”
Activists for nearly a year have been pushing for legislation targeting masks in New York. Members of #UnMaskHateNY, a campaign launched in June following a wave of violent college protests that rocked the city after the start of the Israel – Hamas war, have pushed for a ban on masked intimidation to stop those who hide their faces while they break the law.
Will Miller, a spokesperson for the organization, celebrated the mask inclusion in the state budget.
“With today’s final budget announcement, New York will have language on the books that penalizes masked harassment,” he said. “This is a step forward in addressing a crisis that has spiraled out of control in New York, as masked up individuals have used face and head coverings as tools of terror to target and menace. Accountability starts today. We thank the governor and both houses of the legislature for advancing the issue.”
However, not everyone supports a mask ban or restrictions. In a press release, Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel at the NYC Civil Liberties Union, said that “mask bans have no place” in New York.
“Criminalizing masks puts New Yorkers’ health and safety at risk, opens the floodgates for selective and racially-biased enforcement, threatens to exile some people with disabilities and those who care for them from society, and undermines protections for people engaging in political protest,” Bohm said.
Meanwhile, Hochul said more information about the budget will be announced over the week as lawmakers “confer and vote on budget bills.”
