Canada Bans the Mask: Unlawful Protesters Risk 10 Years in Prison
Masked protesters have become a common sight around the globe and Canada is so concerned about the phenomenon that parliament passed a bill that could, under certain circumstances, put disguised men and women away for a very long time.
Masked protesters have become a common sight around the globe and Canada is so concerned about the phenomenon that parliament passed a bill that could, under certain circumstances, put disguised men and women away for a very long time.
The new law claims to target rioters, but Canada already punishes criminals for disguising themselves. Protesters have reasons beyond basic privacy to wear masks. Face coverings can be expressions of solidarity, for example. Demonstrators affiliated with Anonymous popularized the use of masks based on the image of Guy Fawkes created for the film “V for Vendetta.” Also, people who fear persecution by their government may be naturally inclined to conceal their identities without any intention to commit a crime.
Nonetheless, don’t try it north of the border.
There are some exceptions, as the CBC explains below, but it seems to put the onus on the protester to muster a defense.
CBC:
The bill creates a new Criminal Code offence that makes it illegal to wear a mask or otherwise conceal your identity during a riot or unlawful assembly. Exceptions can be made if someone can prove they have a “lawful excuse” for covering their face such as religious or medical reasons.
The bill originally proposed a penalty of up to five years, but the House of Commons justice committee amended it and doubled the penalty to up to 10 years in prison for committing the offence.
— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer.
WAIT, BEFORE YOU GO…If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
"Both well-meaning and more illicit-minded intelligence professionals basically realize [exposures of the inner workings of power] can't go on," the publisher and journalist tells the "On Contact" host in a discussion about attacks on such organizations as WikiLeaks.
Further enraging state residents, Michele Reagan acknowledged that many voters were given provisional ballots because their party affiliation had been changed without their knowledge.
A look back at some of our favorites from the reading stack.
Washington long has had an unholy alliance with one of the world's worst abusers. We must cut those ties.
As the surveillance state has harnessed the very technologies that were supposed to liberate us, a new book explores the shadowy world of Anonymous, an online "community" that has targeted corporations and governments guilty of perceived offenses against digital liberty.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.