(NewsNation) — Nassau County in New York has passed a public mask ban following a heated debate over protests on college campuses.
Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton told “NewsNation Now” that the law passed by Republicans is not going to hold up to judicial review.
“There’s a fine line of protecting us from people that are concealing their identity on purpose and protecting the rights of those who wish to wear a mask primarily, from the ones I’ve heard, for health reasons,” DeRiggi-Whitton, a Democrat, said.
DeRiggi Whitton said that the piece of legislation that was passed will not survive because it allows people to be questioned and possibly fined just for wearing a mask if their intent is determined to be nefarious.
“You can’t charge someone with a crime just based on intent; there has to be an act that follows it. The Republican piece of legislation does not have that,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “You’re talking about just wearing a mask alone qualifying you to be charged with a misdemeanor that is not only a thousand-dollar crime and something on your record — it also could lead up to a year in jail.”
The passage of this legislation follows massive pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, including at Columbia University in New York City. The school is currently considering adding “peace officers” who will be given authority to arrest and physically handle students.