Officials in the city of Ocala City, FL tried to impose a law that would ban saggy pants in public. The NAACP attacked the measure, claiming it unfairly profiled young, Black males than anything. In reaction to the public outcry, Ocala City’s mayor stopped supporting the law and urged the council to reconsider. The law that would have penalized anyone wearing their pants two inches below their waistlines with a $500 and potential jail time was repealed in September. Now, the state of Oklahoma is considering a controversial bill that would ban the wearing of masks and hoodies in public spaces.
The Oklahoma anti-hoodie bill (introduced by the chair of the Oklahoma’s public safety committee, state senator Don Barrington) is intended “to deter crime, making it unlawful to wear a mask, hood or covering during the commission of a crime or to intentionally conceal a person’s identity in a public place.” Those safe from the implication of the bill are those participating in Halloween celebrations, public parades or masquerade parties/balls, as well as those who use face coverings as a part of their religious practices. Those wearing masks for medical reasons are also exempt.
The Oklahoma bill mirrors the Ocala City law in terms of penalty. Offenders face a fine of $50-$500 or getting locked up for up to a year. Of course, you could also face both the fine and jail time for wearing a hoodie or mask. Will the people of Oklahoma let this one slip through, or will they not stand for it like the people of Ocala City, FL?
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