Anti-Mask Harassment at Nassau County’s Mask Ban Hearing
On August 5th, two of our co-writers, along with many concerned citizens, attended the hearing on Nassau County’s proposed mask ban. Many disabled and immunocompromised mask-wearers risked their health to speak out for their right to exist in public spaces. We anticipated some hostility from those who opposed masks, but we were horrified by the level of harassment, intimidation, and blatant disregard for dignity. This behavior highlights the dangerous precedent this ban sets by opening the door to discrimination and violence.
Harassment and Intimidation
Throughout the nearly seven-hour hearing, masked attendees were subjected to ongoing harassment. Some immunocompromised individuals were intentionally coughed on. Ban supporters told mask-wearers they couldn't wait for their masks to be removed. Ban supporters pointed at, laughed at, and filmed disabled attendees. They made discriminatory remarks, even yelling out to arrest those in masks. Ban supporters stalked at least one speaker on their way out of the building. Law enforcement and government officials made minimal attempts to curb the vitriol, which only emboldened those perpetuating it.
Hostility Towards Masked and Disabled Speakers
The public comment period became a spectacle of intolerance. Masked individuals weren't called to speak until 5:30 PM, nearly five hours after the start. Many had to leave before testifying. Despite hours of arguments from legislators about the bill's unconstitutionality and waste of taxpayer money, its proponents remained determined to push it through.
Former Mayor Wayne Hall, an immunocompromised kidney transplant recipient, was the first to speak against the mask ban. The crowd loudly heckled and booed the elected official at the mere mention of COVID-19 remaining a threat to his health.
One co-writer of our Jews for Mask Rights open letter was booed during her testimony about her concerns about the bill and her struggle with Long COVID. The crowd yelled obscenities when she shared her fears about harassment – a valid fear, considering another co-writer had been harassed for masking in NYC just that morning. The irony of a group allegedly “opposing hate speech” and ”concerned with Jewish safety” mocking a disabled Jewish speaker was not lost on us.
Discriminatory Treatment by the Presiding Officer
The disdain was not limited to the audience. Legislator Kopel, the presiding officer, showed bias against anti-ban speakers. Kopel allowed one speaker, who supported the ban, to continue well beyond her 3-minute limit, allowing her an additional 30 seconds before cutting her microphone. He then helped her turn the mic back on and let her continue for a full additional minute.
The next speaker, a Disability Rights NY attorney, was jeered at for putting his mask back on after concluding his testimony. He returned to the stand briefly to ask the presiding officer to address the ongoing intimidation. Kopel claimed the speaker overstayed his time, but the attorney only asked Kopel to maintain order, a request that another legislator seconded. Kopel then cut off the attorney's microphone and threatened to have him removed by police.
A compilation of Legislator Kopel's biased enforcement of time limits.
“He’s asking you to take notice of the same issue I’ve been asking you to take notice of. There’s one side of this audience harassing other individuals.”
Violent Escalation
An unnecessary use of force compounded the day's trauma. A former county employee known to legislators spoke about the ban's dangers by recounting her experience earlier in the proceedings. She explained that she had attempted to mediate an incident of anti-mask harassment in the room, which resulted in law enforcement wrongly targeting her, and she was the one removed.
When her three minutes were up, the speaker requested more time like others had been granted. Kopel immediately called officers to remove the speaker. (Later, a "proud Republican" reprimanded Kopel in her testimony: "I don't think you realize it—it's our own biases.")
“You allowed the woman to speak beyond three minutes, and you did not ask the police to remove her. You are not applying the law equally and fairly.”
When a masked person calmly approached the stand to de-escalate the situation, police disproportionately responded by forcefully grabbing them away. The government livestream captured the horrifying incident.
The sight of a disabled person being manhandled in a government building was shocking and deeply traumatic. These actions sent a clear message: the Mask Transparency Act is already a health hazard, but in the hands of biased law enforcement, it becomes deeply dangerous.
Mask Bans Put Everyone In Danger
The hearing fostered the very hate and vitriol the bill claims to combat, targeting disabled individuals and others who dared to oppose it. It was not just a debate over a mask ban; it was a chilling display of hatred, intolerance, and disregard for vulnerable people. We commend the courage of those who stood up and spoke out under such hostile conditions.
The events we witnessed yesterday are just the tip of the iceberg. The real threat lies in the bill’s implications beyond the immediate hostility and harassment. With officials unable to answer basic questions about the proposed law — like whether a masked family could legally enter a store or what counts as a mask — the bill introduces uncertainty and risk that could have far-reaching consequences for everyone. Though supporters highlight the bill's "health exemptions," health and safety will suffer as its effects unfold. Many constituents are already fearful and confused about their rights under this new law.
We strongly condemn Legislator Kopel’s biased actions, the unacceptable behavior of the audience, and the toxic environment fostered by legislators that allowed hatred to thrive. No one should be subjected to harassment, intimidation, or violence for wearing a mask. If this was the treatment of mask-wearers within the walls of a government building, we are terrified to learn the consequences of this bill in action.
Jews for Mask Rights is an independent group organizing an open letter signed by Jews against mask bans in New York.
Further Reading:
Health Exemptions Won't Work: Why Mask Bans are Fundamentally Flawed
Proponents of mask bans claim to include carve-outs for "legitimate" use, but enforcing such exemptions based on health criteria is logistically impossible.Understanding New York's Anti-Mask Proposals
Overview of recent anti-mask movements in New York.Why Mask Bans Fail Jews and Other Marginalized Groups
The #UnmaskHateNY campaign proposes a mask ban to combat rising antisemitism. However, it neglects disabled Jews and other marginalized communities, potentially leading to public health issues and stigmatization.Concerns With Assemblyman Dinowitz’s State Assembly Bill
NY's multiple mask ban bills, supposedly introduced to protect Jewish people, may pose more harm than good. Learn why these bills are causing concern.Health Risks of Mask Bans
Any mask ban poses significant health risks, jeopardizing public health and introducing serious challenges.
