https://gizmodo.com/hong-kong-announces-ban-on-masks-and-face-paint-that-he-1838765030
https://twitter.com/austinramzy/status/1180024240034086912
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKaboI74CQM
The Hong Kong government is banning masks and face paint in an attempt
to stop the pro-democracy protests that have been raging since June.
"The new 'emergency' order was announced by Hong Kong leader Carrie
Lam at a press conference today and will go into effect at midnight
local time, 12:00 pm ET," reports Gizmodo. From the report: The new
law bans "any facial covering that is likely to prevent
identification," during public demonstrations. Anyone arrested under
the new rule will face up to a year in prison and a fine of roughly
$3,200 U.S. "We believe that the new law will create a new deterrence
effect against masked violent protesters and rioters," Lam said at a
press conference that was carried live online. "Hong Kong is not in a
state of emergency," Lam assured citizens. "But we are indeed in a
location of serious danger."
Hong Kong protesters, upset about Beijing's political incursion into
the region, wear masks primarily for three reasons. First, protesters
want to keep from being identified by cameras around the city that use
facial recognition software. Second, the protesters don't want to be
identified by police forces on the ground, allowing authorities to
target them later when they arrive home. And third, the masks can
shield protesters from teargas, which has become a common weapon
deployed by police. Lam said at today's press conference that bans on
face coverings were "something which has already been introduced in a
number of jurisdictions around the world" and defended the move as
something that could help to restore peace and order in the region.
Lam notes that the new law is exempt for people who need to cover
their faces for their jobs. What this means is that police will likely
be allowed to wear masks, while the average civilian will not.