3 months ago
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MINEOLA, Long Island -- A mask ban has now been passed in Nassau County, and while its supporters say that it's meant to prevent anyone engaged in hateful actions or speech from going unidentified, critics say it violates free speech rights and is therefore unconstitutional.
The measure is expected to be signed into law soon but is also anticipated to be legally challenged, not long after.
The level of its controversy was on display during the hours-long public hearing on Monday evening, before the legislature voted on the bill.
When the allotted time for a speaker who'd opposed the mask ban bill ran out and she kept speaking, the chairman asked police on hand to intervene.
Some people from the gallery tried to get involved, as well, and one of the county legislators also stepped in. The half-dozen or so officers were able to get most people to return to their seats, but they did arrest a woman who'd allegedly put her hands on an officer and resisted arrest.
The county legislator who'd stepped in at the Monday hearing was Carrié Solages.
On Tuesday, he spoke with PIX11 News about the measure. "Just for wearing a mask, you should not have a $1000 fine," he said.<...
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