S.T.O.P. Condemns Adams’ Protest Mask Ban

Adams’ proposal came a day after nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations against President Trump’s abuse of power, including in New York City.

View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P. Condemns Adams’ Protest Mask Ban (New York, NY, 6/16/2025)  - Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy and civil rights group, condemns Mayor Eric Adams’ call for a statewide ban on masks at protests. Adams’ proposal came a day after nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations against President Trump’s abuse of power, including in New York City. The civil rights group condemned Adams’ attack on free speech and assembly, especially the impact on immunocompromised New Yorkers. SEE: Gothamist - Eric Adams calls for broader protest mask ban in NYC after ‘No Kings’ march https://gothamist.com/news/mayor-adams-calls-for-broader-protest-mask-ban-after-no-kings-march “This response is more pathetic than the crowds at Trump’s military parade,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Communications Director Will Owen. “Americans came out in historic numbers to protest Trump’s authoritarianism, and Adams is clearly siding with the president. Protesters need protection from surveillance now more than ever, but Adams wants our faces readily available to NYPD and the federal government. This is not only an attack on our right to free speech, but also immunocompromised New Yorkers’ right to participate in protests without putting their health at risk.” “No one should have to risk their health to raise their voice,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn.  “Mask bans endanger our immunocompromised neighbors and the Constitution. This sort of ban is exactly the sort of power grab the American people are standing up against.” In December, S.T.O.P. condemned Adams' proposal to ban masks following the NYPD’s long-running manhunt after the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The civil rights group objected that a mask ban would never have stopped Thompson’s killing, but it would put countless immunocompromised New Yorkers at risk. Last June, S.T.O.P. warned that Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed ban on masks and other face coverings in the New York City subways puts public safety theater ahead of public health and civil rights, leaving immunocompromised New Yorkers at risk. SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Condemns NYC Mask Ban, Says Mayor Needs To Face Facts On Surveillance https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2024/12/10/stop-condemns-nyc-mask-ban-says-mayor-needs-to-face-facts-on-surveillance?rq=mask%20ban SEE: Press Release - S.T.O.P. Warns Hochul Mask Ban Jeopardizes Public Health, Civil Rights https://www.stopspying.org/latest-news/2024/6/18/stop-warns-hochul-mask-ban-jeopardizes-public-health-civil-rights?rq=mask%20ban Amsterdam News - OP-ED: Mask bans make NY less safe https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2024/08/29/op-ed-mask-bans-make-ny-less-safe/ The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.   -- END -- Copyright © 2025 Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.