Law Prof Blasts DC Law That Prohibits Masks While Protesting Outside Residences
A new law that forbids protesters in Washington, D.C. from wearing masks while protesting outside residences came under fire this week from a law professor for its potential to infringe on free speech and for how it gives police additional grounds to arrest protesters.
The law was passed by the D.C. Council in response to animal rights activists who wear masks and fake-blood-covered trench coats outside the homes of individuals they believe are connected to a company that provides animals for corporate science experiments, says George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley in a blog post.
However, under the law, any protesters that assemble in groups greater than three without informing the police and conduct a protest in the evening can be arrested, according to the blog post.
“What the new D.C. law does is strip protesters of anonymity and increases the powers of the police to arrest individuals who are engaging in free speech activities.” Turley wrote in the post.
