New York Governor Open to Reinstating Mask Ban Amid Surge of Anti-Semitic Incidents

Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will ‘absolutely’ take a look at the option.
New York Governor Open to Reinstating Mask Ban Amid Surge of Anti-Semitic Incidents
Students participate in a protest in support of Palestine outside of the Columbia University campus in New York City on Nov. 15, 2023. Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Bill Pan
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul might consider bringing back a long-standing ban on wearing masks in public to prevent perpetrators of anti-Semitic aggression from concealing their identities.

In a June 11 interview with CNN, the Democrat governor said it is “not difficult” to balance free speech with safety amid heightened tensions over pro-Palestinian protests, pledging that her administration will not tolerate behaviors that cross the line from free speech into hate crime.