CAIR-NY Condemns Nassau County Police for Arrest of Protester Wearing Keffiyeh Under New Mask Ban
Photo Credit: Nassau County
(NEW YORK, NY - 9/17/2024) - Today, the New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned Nassau County Police Department for arresting a protester wearing a Palestinian Keffiyeh (scarf) under their new mask ban.
The protester was arrested on Sunday in Cedarhurst, Long Island while protesting the sale of occupied Palestinian land promoted at a local synagogue.
This is one of the first arrests to happen under the new mask ban. The ban allows law enforcement to require individuals to remove their masks if there is “reasonable suspicion” of intent to commit a crime. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail. Although the ban exempts face masks used for health or religious reasons, the ambiguous criteria for enforcement and the potential for misuse present significant risks for protesters and the Muslim community.
SEE: Breakthrough Newsroom, Video of Arrest
In a statement, CAIR-NY Supervising Attorney Lamya Agarwala, Esq., said:
"We are witnessing the immediate effects of the discriminatory and unconstitutional mask ban and condemn the policy as a silencing tactic targeting supporters of Palestinian human rights. Barring other criminal misconduct, wearing a keffiyeh or a mask does not make you suspicious. Using this policy to arrest protesters is an affront to our fundamental rights as Americans, a point that politicians disregard when it comes to speaking out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians.”
She noted that CAIR-NY previously condemned Nassau County for passing the mask ban that “paves the way for political censorship.”
SEE: CAIR-NY Condemns Nassau County Mask Ban That ‘Paves the Way for Political Censorship’
SEE: CAIR-NY Raises Public Health, Free Speech Concerns about Nassau County Proposed Mask Ban
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT:
Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com;
Saira Amar, MPA, CAIR-NY Communications Coordinator, samar@cair.com