New -York legislative body accepts amendments to mask prohibition legislation

The recently proposed bill to ban the mask aimed at resolving recent distribution in anti -Semitic incidents in New York, becomes a potential outbreak in the newly made session of Albani, even when it has gained unnoticed support from a wide range of Jewish laws.

WITH legislationPresented last week by Senator James Skiff and the Assembly Jeffrey Dinovic, will restore the preliminary ban, canceled during the skating, adding “masked harassment” as a new criminal violation, as well as expanding the determination of sharpened harassment in the second degree. It includes several cutouts for people who wear masks for religious, health or professional reasons.

The bill is a modified version of the legislation, first introduced last year against the background of an anti -Semitic case caused by attacks on October 7 and Israel’s war with Hamas in Gas. But Original legislationthat forbidden a mask to wear even in legally collected groups, Drew From the supporters of the free language who have argued that the bill is unfairly targeting protesters who often cover their faces while participating in public demonstrations.

Despite the major changes, the updated efforts continued to face opposition by groups, including the New -York Union of Civil Liberties, which recently signed up for Shared letters To the top elected state officials, arguing that the legislation that prohibits masks “threatens the protection and safety of New Norkiv” and “undermines the protection of those who are engaged in political protest.”

The letter sent to the bill was called for officials “to provide any legislation prohibiting masks in New Nork at this session.”

Katie’s Governor Wanted, Democrat, has specified She is open for implementation The prohibition on the mask, but her office refused to decide on the current legislation this week. “In general, we do not comment on the legislation until it pass both houses of the legislative body,” – said in the E -letter Av Jewish insider On Tuesday.

Instead, he wanted to commemorate this month at the beginning of this month, in which she repeated that “considering a language that says if you commit a crime when wearing a mask, should be enhanced.”

However, its recent lack of clarity on the new bill has caused concern among some Jewish activists who believe that its public support will help ensure the movement of legislation forward. “The fact that the governor did not put it in his budgetary address when she has the most levers is a red flag,” is one Jewish leader who asked to remain anonymous to resolve the sensitive issue prevented by JI.

Rap. Richie Torres (D-Ny) who now weighs the primary call for wanted in the election next year, called the governor At the beginning of this month, “update the proposed budget of the executive body to include the legislation that restores the prohibition on the mask”, stating that its “lip service for mask prohibition means nothing without legislation and executive orders that correspond to words with actions.”

Even when she faced the pressure on both sides that continue the debate of mask, Scott Riman, regional director of New York and New Jersey in the league against defamel, expressed optimism that she would end up in favor of the bill, saying that Its broader statements are “good” for the legislation.

“As she sees the support of many groups throughout the country, we hope it encourages it to support her,” Richman said in an interview with Ji, calling the bill “crazy” to resist growing anti-Semitic violence.

Adl that has said The fact that the bill is its main priority in the current legislative session of the Albani is one of A number of Jewish groups aggressively lobby for a ban – that A recent survey It is shown that the new -nork voters are widely supported. In addition to the New York Federation and the New York Jewish Relations Council, the bill is supported by black lawyers, including the National City League and the NAACP New York.

District Prosecutor Manhattan Alvin Bragg, which is perceived as a progressive prosecutor, also has Supported The legislation argues that “too often masks are used as hatred crimes, lending anonymity for those who target New York people through their experience.”

Last year the legislative body of Nassau district Adopted a more extended law Prohibition of masks in public with some exceptions. At the beginning of this week, Professor of Columbia University, which was disturbed by anti -Israeli demonstrations, submitted a proposal to the Senate of the School that forbidden to face classes in classes, as well as at campus activities.

It remains unclear how the national bill is widely considered in the legislation democratically, as supporters say that there is no official calculation of whips at this early stage.

Skufi, Democrat, who made a bill in the State Senate, refused to confirm whether he was expecting that he would see the legislation. “I have learned for a long time not to offer the forecasts about Bill’s passage,” he wrote in the text message Ji. “Support and awareness are growing in the legislative body when my colleagues and I are talking to colleagues. There is a broad understanding that New York should decide the cowardly attacks that are carried out in masks. ”

For his part, Dinovitz, also Democrat, in an interview with JIs on Tuesday stated that he hopes to adopt a bill at this session, noting that he is now seeking to make “as many members” as possible to sponsor the legislation. “Everyone should worry about it,” he said. “I am so outraged by some disgusting things that lasted for the last 15 months,” he added. “People who are not good are more likely to wear a mask than people who are good.”

“We have outlined a bill that is a strong bill, and we hope that it can be effective, but at the same time we are taking all possible steps to make sure that no one can feel that their first amendments are being violated,” Dinovitz explained.

The legislator of a democratic state that supports the bill, as a condition of anonymity to resolve a sensitive issue, said that the bill “unconditionally” would be a polarizing topic of debate in Alban.

But the legislator suggested that the bill would continue to receive new supporters in the coming months, as Jewish groups and other supporters insist on actions. “You will see that more coalition construction and support are increasing when the session is moving forward,” the JI legislator confirmed. “There is a lot of runway.”