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cbabe

(6,185 posts)
Sat May 10, 2025, 12:12 PM May 2025

Mask bans are growing in popularity. Critics call the trend a 'dog whistle' to quell protest.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/mask-bans-are-growing-popularity-critics-call-trend-dog-whistle-quell-rcna160218

Mask bans are growing in popularity. Critics call the trend a 'dog whistle' to quell protest.

July 8, 2024, 7:00 AM PDT
By Marquise Francis

Once seen as a symbol of protection against the spread of a deadly virus, masks are now being blamed for emboldening some people to commit acts of violence amid a rise in clashes at protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

Elected officials in New York City and Los Angeles have signaled recently that they’re open to reinstating decades-old mask bans after several tense pro-Palestinian demonstrations, where local officials say masked protesters aimed to conceal their identity. Republicans in North Carolina recently signed a controversial mask restriction into law, sparking an intense debate between supporters who cite safety concerns and critics who argue it could affect protesting and free speech rights. In January, Philadelphia banned ski masks in public spaces in an effort to reduce crime, citing several incidents of violence involving masked gunmen.



Proponents of mask restrictions, however, say they will go a long way in keeping people safe by helping law enforcement identify criminals.

“We will not tolerate individuals using masks to evade responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior,” Hochul said last month at a press conference on public safety.

Adams invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s activism to dispel the need for masks while protesting.

“Dr. King did not hide his face when he marched and for the things he thought were wrong in the country,” he said. “Those civil rights leaders did not hide their faces. They stood up. In contrast to that, the Klan hid their faces.”

… more …

(Criminals to Covid to protesters to magas and ice: What are the laws where you live?)
22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Mask bans are growing in popularity. Critics call the trend a 'dog whistle' to quell protest. (Original Post) cbabe May 2025 OP
How about ICE Traildogbob May 2025 #1
Will this apply to ICE agents? Justice Brandeis May 2025 #2
appears to something that people on both sides of the fence stopdiggin May 2025 #3
Its really stupid. milestogo May 2025 #4
Post removed Post removed May 2025 #15
Grammar Police have arrived!! GP6971 May 2025 #16
The scamdemic? milestogo May 2025 #17
It's a right wing troll. That is a prominent term on their social media posts Bernardo de La Paz May 2025 #18
Not just pandemic worries. Som of us are immunocompromised. haele May 2025 #19
How about khaki balaclavas? They seem fairly popular these days, too 0rganism May 2025 #5
I think mask bans are inevitable. Mosby May 2025 #6
Do you support the mask bans? Sewa May 2025 #11
Message auto-removed Name removed May 2025 #12
Hi there!!!! GP6971 May 2025 #14
Does the ban include klan hoods? Buckeyeblue May 2025 #7
How about banning cops from wearing masks while on duty? CanonRay May 2025 #8
All federal agents and LEOs... Wounded Bear May 2025 #9
I'd like to have a Scramble Suit, ala A Scanner Darkly JoseBalow May 2025 #10
Who we should ban masks on is ICE and neo Nazis. Initech May 2025 #13
Amen to this! ShazzieB May 2025 #20
What a terrible comment: they KILLED MLK. David__77 May 2025 #21
Yup. OldBaldy1701E May 2025 #22

stopdiggin

(15,018 posts)
3. appears to something that people on both sides of the fence
Sat May 10, 2025, 12:22 PM
May 2025

both practice themselves, and - (in certain instances) oppose when employed by others.

It's a classic dichotomy. Desire for identification (and minimizing threat) from others - while preferring autonomy and privacy for oneself. Truth?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

milestogo

(22,554 posts)
4. Its really stupid.
Sat May 10, 2025, 12:24 PM
May 2025

The only reason I've ever worn a mask is to protect myself from COVID and other contagious diseases. The way things are going with RFK Jr, I may start wearing one every time I go out.

Response to milestogo (Reply #4)

Bernardo de La Paz

(60,320 posts)
18. It's a right wing troll. That is a prominent term on their social media posts
Sat May 10, 2025, 02:17 PM
May 2025

They purport to think that epidemic was a purposeful collaboration between Obama and the WEF and "globohomo" for authoritarian purposes, and that it was nothing worse than a bad cold or a mild flu. Total nonsense of course.

haele

(15,069 posts)
19. Not just pandemic worries. Som of us are immunocompromised.
Sat May 10, 2025, 02:18 PM
May 2025

I wear a mask because I don't want to end up gasping for air on my back for a week or so in ICU if I'm lucky.
Those with perfect genes or fairy godmothers wishing away all ill luck from them can go about without a mask.
I'll continue to wear mine when needed.

0rganism

(25,466 posts)
5. How about khaki balaclavas? They seem fairly popular these days, too
Sat May 10, 2025, 12:42 PM
May 2025

Maybe we can get them emblazoned with an ICE logo, would that help?

Mosby

(19,237 posts)
6. I think mask bans are inevitable.
Sat May 10, 2025, 12:43 PM
May 2025

Because this issue isn't just limited to the IP protests. The hoodlums who tore up Champs-Élysées the other day, all masked, goitered, hooded. Same with all the snatch and run robberies like at Gucci in BH recently.

Response to Mosby (Reply #6)

David__77

(24,506 posts)
21. What a terrible comment: they KILLED MLK.
Sun May 11, 2025, 06:38 AM
May 2025

And that’s the point of this- it’s desired to identify people who protest so they can be targeted.

OldBaldy1701E

(10,160 posts)
22. Yup.
Sun May 11, 2025, 06:47 AM
May 2025

They want us to show ourselves so that they can deport us. Irregardless of whether or not your family was here for three generations before that orange gibbon's family set foot on Ellis Island, he will deport you because he does not like you.

And, so far, we are fine with this, since I am not aware of anyone who was removed being returned.

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