Virginia
Related: About this forumHow A Virginia Law Targeting The KKK Could Make Masks Illegal When State of Emergency Ends
WJLA News7, Washington, D.C., June 17, 2021.
WASHINGTON (7News) Virginia's coronavirus state of emergency is expected to end June 30, and when that happens, a Commonwealth law that makes wearing masks in public illegal under certain circumstances will go back into effect. If were not in the state of emergency, it is unlawful to wear a mask in public so there are certain things were working through, Gov. Ralph Northam told 8News in Richmond earlier this month.
The governor's press secretary, Alena Yarmosky, told 7News in a statement earlier this week that Northam is hoping to "address any ambiguity during an upcoming special session this summer" but is "confident that no Virginians will be penalized for wearing masks for health reasons."
Brian Szmak, a criminal defense attorney with the Law Office of Samuel C. Moore in Alexandria, tells 7News that Virginia's anti-mask law was originally intended to target the KKK. As it's written, it addresses both masks and hoods "whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer."
The law applies to those over the age of 16, and contains exceptions for holiday costumes, protective masks used in certain work environments, theatrical productions, and for people with a doctor's note. "For those with chronic conditions... you can get a doctor's note and just stick in your wallet," Szmak says. But there is no portion of the law that gives a "general waiver," he adds, which is why he thinks the governor will have to address or amend the mask law in some way very soon. Even when concerns about COVID-19 die down, there may well be an uptick in people wearing masks to protect themselves during flu season, or to protect others when they are ill, Szmak predicts...Video,
https://wjla.com/news/local/how-a-virginia-law-targeting-the-kkk-could-make-masks-illegal-when-the-state-of-emergency-ends
underpants
(186,993 posts)Interesting that the criminal defense attorney pointed out how black people will get this used against them.
Yonnie3
(18,158 posts)I had a gut reaction to that. Over and over again it has been shown that police discretion is abused.
Masks will become the next pretextual stop mechanism for some officers.
underpants
(186,993 posts)We both know that would fly in court in some parts of this state.
Yonnie3
(18,158 posts)Link to tweet
Here is a link to the statement:
https://www.charlottesville.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=704
City County Seals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 17, 2021
The Commonwealths Attorneys of Albemarle County and Charlottesville have advised law enforcement that it is not a crime to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure.
Joint statement from Albemarle County Commonwealths Attorney Jim Hingeley and Charlottesville Commonwealths Attorney Joseph Platania
Governor Ralph Northam has announced that Virginias state of emergency due to COVID-19 will end on June 30, 2021. A state law making it unlawful to wear a mask in public with the intent to conceal ones identity will go back into full effect on that day. The same law permits the wearing of masks to protect the safety of the wearer and other persons. The Commonwealths Attorneys of Albemarle County and Charlottesville have therefore advised our law enforcement partners that it is not a crime to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure.
Those who wish to continue to wear masks in public to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 spread and exposure may do so without fear of prosecution in Albemarle and Charlottesville. Please be safe and respectful of your fellow citizens.
appalachiablue
(42,985 posts)underpants
(186,993 posts)👍