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> it is illegal to have two or more people gather together in public while each wearing any sort of disguise or mask[2]

Wearing a mask in public (or on private property without written consent) is a felony in Virginia punishable by up to 5 years in jail.

This has allowed for the identification and exposure of many attendees of the Nazi riot on August 11-12, 2017 who may have otherwise concealed their identities.

https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter9/secti...




Anti-mask laws are mostly the result of masked terrorists like the KKK who exploited anonymity to commit their crimes[1].

> Many anti-mask laws date back to the mid-20th century when states and municipalities, passed them to stop the violent activities of the Ku Klux Klan, whose members typically wore hoods of white linen to conceal their identities.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_laws#United_States


While other states enacted mask laws in response to the KKK, in New York it was an attempt to maintain one of the last feudal systems in the western world.

http://gothamist.com/2012/10/22/anti-mask_law_from_1845_used... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Rent_War


Interesting, thanks for the links!


I wish we had that in Oregon. Portland is plagued by masked Antifa rioters (and other groups) doing illegal acts. I doubt they'd be as bold if they were easily identified. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwTT-RiMSnQ




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