#HR2065: Harsh penalties for #protesters who conceal their identity

"Would make it a federal crime, subject to a lengthy prison sentence, to wear a #mask or other disguise while protesting in an 'intimidating' or 'oppressive' way. Under the '#UnmaskingHamasAct,' anyone 'in disguise, including while wearing a mask' who 'injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person' exercising their constitutional rights could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison as well as fined. The bill does not define 'oppress,' nor does the bill specify what is meant by 'disguise,' other than that it includes a 'mask.' The bill’s substantive provisions are identical to the '#UnmaskingAntifaAct,' which lawmakers have introduced in several previous sessions. Sponsors of the bill made clear that it is a response to #ProPalestine #protesters, some of whom have worn masks to avoid retaliation."

Status: pending

Introduced 11 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Face Covering

Press release from bill sponsor, Congressman #AddisonMcDowell (NC-06):
https://mcdowell.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-addison-mcdowell-introduces-unmasking-hamas-act-strengthen-penalties

Full bill text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2065/text?s=1&r=64&q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22actionDate%3A%5C%22119%7C2025-03-11%5C%22+AND+%28billIsReserved%3A%5C%22N%5C%22+OR+type%3A%5C%22AMENDMENT%5C%22%29%22%7D
#CriminalizingDissent #AntiProtestLaws #Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #FreePalestineProtests #SurveillanceState #AntiMaskLaws #CiminalizingProtest