Hochul Considers Reviving NY Mask Ban Amid Israel-Hamas War Protests

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul says she is considering reinstating a centuries-old state ban on masks at demonstrations — which was repealed during the COVID-19 pandemic — due to recent incidents fueled by pro-Palestine protesters in New York City.

Less than a day after protesters threw buckets of red paint at the front entrance of the home to the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Hochul told CNN that she will “absolutely” take a second look at the retired face mask ban. Read more: Protestors Vandalized Upper East Side Building Before Fleeing: NYPD

“[The ban] was repealed … but I absolutely will go back and take a look at this and see whether it can be restored because it is frightening to people,” Hochul told CNN before referencing a separate incident that took place on Monday, in which masked protesters asked Zionists to raise their hands on a packed subway car before warning “this is your chance to get out,” according to a now-viral video posted to X.

Zionism is defined as the “movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.

“You're sitting on a subway train and someone puts on a mask like this and comes in — you don't know if they're going to be committing a crime, they're going to have a gun, or whether they're just going to be threatening or intimidating you because you are Jewish, which is exactly what happened the other day. Absolutely unacceptable in the state of New York,” Hochul added.

Mayor Eric Adams is urging a similar ban on masks at protests, a source close to the Adams administration told amNewYork.

The subway car incident follows reports of protesters waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags at a Wall Street-area exhibit commemorating the victims of the Nova Music Festival massacre Monday night, according to Mayor Eric Adams’ office. At other protests, a banner reading “Long Live Oct. 7” was waved.

“In this country, we must always protect the right to free speech,” Adams said in a video response to the incidents, “but I have a moral obligation to speak out when the messages that some New Yorkers are sharing go beyond the pale,” Adams said.

“While peaceful protests will be allowed, New York City will never cower in the face of those trying to divide us,” Adams added. “Hate has no place in our city.”