(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) Gov. Kathy Hochul, D–N.Y., will push a partial mask ban for New York City’s subways as a response to the anti-Semitic rhetoric by pro-Hamas supporters that skyrocketed after the terrorist group attacked Israel last year.
On June 13, 2024, Hochul said she was working with lawmakers after Jewish leaders called to reinstate an anti-masking law that was repealed as the COVID-19 hysteria started, the New York Post reported, adding that the talks were largely focused on subways.
“It’s time for a reset. There’s obviously a problem here. This will be dealt with,” Hochul said during a news conference.
The news came after recent Jew-hating incidents that happened in the city, especially one in which masked protesters demanded that “Zionists” raise their hands on a crowded subway train.
Hochul added that there will be exceptions to the rule, such as health concerns, cultural events, religious reasons and Halloween.
Democratic Mayor of New York City Eric Adams supported the idea on the same day.
“Cowards hide their faces. Dr. [Martin Luther] King did not hide his face. I agree with those who are calling for the removal of the ban, not only for the protesters who are using vile language but also for criminal behavior. Now is the time to go back to the way we were pre-COVID, where you should not be able to wear masks at protests,” he said.
Supporters of a mask ban said that making protesters show their faces will help crack down on violent and hateful incidents, adding that anti-masking laws were effectively used in the past to combat the Ku Klux Klan who were hiding behind their hoods.
Other New Yorkers, however, opposed the ban, arguing that people should be able to wear what they want to wear and that, if implemented, the ban would stigmatize wearing a mask, which would prevent people from doing it, even if they need to wear a mask for medical reasons.
