Bronx MP Richie Torres accused Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday of limping into the law to ban public maskwear as a way to stop hatred-free stigma the day after a mob of Kefier Clad's anti-Israeli protesters crossed the Bernard College building.
Torres said such laws have been delayed for a long time, urging the governor to defend the wearing of face masks during public demonstrations as part of a new state budget expected to be adopted by April 1.
“Lips service to your mask ban means nothing without laws and executive orders that match words with their actions,” the Democrat said in a sharp-worded letter to the governor obtained by the Post.
“The people of New York need critical action from the governor who lacked the fight to reveal hatred.”
Torres also accused New York officials, including Hochul of violating federal anti-discrimination laws by failing to prevent harassment of Jewish students on university campuses.
“New York State's acceptance of masked harassment and threats against Jewish students on university campuses violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in education based on race, color or national origin,” he said.
“As governor, Buck will stop with you.”
New York Long has banned mask wear. This was repealed during the Covid-19 pandemic as a face covering was mandated to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
Supporters of the mask revival claim that protesters and destroyers will cover their faces, hide their identities and avoid responsibility and accountability for their actions.
Torres pointed out that mask bans have been introduced nationwide to expose and arrest members of the Ku Klux Klan who terrorized and killed black residents.
“Contrary to the false narrative, Mask has a long history of defending civil rights
We put them in danger,” the lawmaker said.
“No one at the time would have said that, except for the KKK and its sympathizers, the KKK had the first right to hide itself.”
A recent poll conducted for the Civil Rights Union found that 75% of New Yorkers support mask bans and 76% of Jewish voters are worried about being selected for discrimination, the highest of any group.
“It's time for the governor to stand on people more than interest groups,” writes Torres, who runs around for the governor next year against fellow Democrat Hochul.
Torres previously tore Hochul because he didn't mention mask bans as a priority for the state's policy address in January.
Hochul spokesman Sam Spokony replied, “Governor Hochul has repeatedly expressed his support for mask restrictions and reviews mask bans that will pass through Congress.”
Hochul told reporters in late January:
The bill introduced in Congress will not ban masks fully dressed, but will create a low-level crime of “mask harassment.”
A violation level penalty specifically targets anyone who harasses others while wearing a mask for “the primary purpose of threatening or threatening violence.”
You will be exempt from mask restrictions for medical or religious purposes.
