Anti-mask law
Anti-mask or anti-masking laws refer to legislative or penal initiatives that seek to stop individuals, who do so often for political or religious purposes, from concealing their faces.
North America
United States
- Anti-mask laws date back to the mid-20th Century when states and municipalities passed them as to inhibit the Ku Klux Klan, whose members typically wore hoods of white linen to conceal their identities.[1]
- In current times masked political protestors, such as those in the Occupy Movement, have been targeted with anti-masking laws.[2][3][4][5]
Canada
- After several high profile protests, the Canadian Parliament introduced Bill C-309, which bans the wearing of masks during a riot or other unlawful assembly.[6][7] The bill became law on June 19, 2013.[8] Those convicted of it face up to 10 years in prison.[9]
Europe
Germany
- Since 1980s, according to § 17a Abs. 2 Versammlungsgesetz you may not disguise your identity in public meetings such as demonstrations so the police is able to identify you. This violation can be fines with imprisonment up to one year.[10]
Spain
- According to 'Citizens’ Security Law' passed by government, protesters who cover their faces at demonstrations could be fined up to 30,000 euros.[11]
Switzerland
- In the cantons of Basel-Stadt (1990), Zurich (1995), Bern (1999), Lucerne (2004), Thurgau (2004), Solothurn (2006) and St. Gallen (2009), there are laws banning use of masks.
France
- French ban on face covering is an act of parliament passed by the Senate of France on 14 September 2010, resulting in the ban on the wearing of face-covering headgear, including masks, helmets, balaclava, niqābs and other veils covering the face in public places, except under specified circumstances.
Ukraine
- Several days after Berkut riot police clashed with Euromaidan protesters Verkhovna Rada has enacted law 721-VII banning wearing masks, helmets or camouflage clothing by people taking part in a gathering, assembly, demonstration, protest, rally or other mass event. Fines for violating are monetary up to about $400 or administrative arrest up to 15 days.[12]
References
- ^ http://www.planettakers.com/questions_on_the_ku_klux_klan.htm The John Birch Society Same As The KKK
- ^ http://dcist.com/2012/10/occupys_halloween_party_might_break.php Occupy's Halloween Party Might Break D.C.'s Anti-Mask Law
- ^ http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/09/old_anti-mask_law_foiling_wall.html Old Anti-Mask Law Foils Wall Street Protestors
- ^ https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/hi-oh-silver-aclu-challenges-michigan-anti-mask-law-behalf-lone-ranger-protesters With a 'Hi-Oh, Silver!' ACLU Challenges Michigan Anti-Mask Law on Behalf of "Lone Ranger" Protesters
- ^ http://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3009&context=flr Who Goes There?" -- Proposing a Model Anti-Mask Act
- ^ http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/story/canadian-anti-masking-bill-imminent/10849 Canadian Anti-Masking Bill Imminent
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/police-chiefs-back-anti-mask-bill-1.1061197 Police chiefs back anti-mask bill
- ^ Meagan Fitzpatrick, CBC News Wearing a mask at a riot is now a crime http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/06/19/pol-mask-bill-royal-assent.html
- ^ http://rt.com/news/canadians-ten-years-protesting-masks-965/ Mask ban: Canada's veiled protesters face 10 years' jail
- ^ http://dejure.org/gesetze/VersG/17a.html
- ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/29/us-spain-security-idUSBRE9AS0MX20131129
- ^ http://un.ua/eng/article/486104.html
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