Cops in Modesto (CA) tell demonstrators that wearing masks in public is illegal.

[Nevilledog]

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Chad Loder
@chadloder
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Cops in Modesto have just told demonstrators that wearing masks in public is illegal.

Sky Spider
@SkySpider_
Replying to @SkySpider_
Modesto police pulled up to say masks are illegal “ We have an Ordinance” that forbids masks unless they are “medical masks”.
Embedded video
11:49 AM · Aug 27, 2022

Ummm.......

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. These cops are idiots

[onenote]

2. It looks like the cops may be right

From the Modesto Code:
4-23.02 - Restrictions.
(a) No person shall utilize, carry, or possess the following items or articles while attending or participating in any demonstration, rally, protest, counter-protest, picket line, march, or public assembly:

.... (13) The wearing of a mask, scarf, bandana or any other accessory or item that covers or partially covers the face shielding the wearer's face from view and conceals the wearer's identity, except for coverings worn due to religious beliefs, practices or observances or due to medical necessity.

[NoRethugFriends]

3. Medical necessity

[onenote]

5. I can't tell from the clip what sort of masks are being worn.

I see a couple coming up wearing medical masks, but were others wearing some other kind of mask?

[NoRethugFriends]

12. The cops were just being pricks.

[aeromanKC]

8. Pretty sure advocating for those in need is a Christian religious belief and practice.

"except for coverings worn due to religious beliefs, practices or observances"

[DFW]

10. Any physician can issue a written recommendation

The mask wearer can present it stating that the covid risk made it a medical necessity.

I notice that while masks are on their list, guns are not. The city council of Modesto apparently fears that their cops are facing a far greater danger from a demonstrator wearing a mask than from a demonstrator carrying a loaded .357 magnum.

[Demsrule86]

13. Well they are medically necessary to prevent Covid.

[MagickMuffin]

4. They should be challenged on the law making it illegal

They can't just make shit up and say its a law and therefore illegal.

Name and badge number, dingus!

[onenote]

7. See post #2

[aeromanKC]

6. From Audit the Audit videos, they mention local ordinances do not override 1st amendment protections

Not sure if this is accurate, but it sounded good to me.

[onenote]

9. The constitutionality of anti-mask laws is unclear

Many of these laws were intended to target the KKK. But they apply more broadly.

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1169/anti-mask-laws

[Abnredleg]

11. Many mask ordinances have their roots in anti-KKK legislation

So were a good thing at the time, but times change.

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1169/anti-mask-laws

[Chainfire]

14. It is probably the rainbow masks that they had the issue with.