It should be interesting to see the response of those who hide behind the mask of Antifa concerning a new bill that was introduced to the House of Representatives on Sunday.
Rep. Daniel Donovan (R-N.Y.) introduced legislation that would target “protesters” — namely Antifa — who “injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates” anyone — for any reason while in "disguise" or wearing a "mask." The perpetrators would face stiff fines and substantial jail time. The bill is called the “Unmasking Antifa Act of 2018,” and it would be an addition to Title 18, which deals with “Crimes and Criminal Procedure.”
According to the bill:
“(a) In General.—Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, while in disguise, including while wearing a mask, injures, oppresses, threatens, or intimidates any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both.
It doesn’t get more straightforward than that. The offenses that result in the penalties detailed have been seen in abundance since Antifa came into the public consciousness.
Should Donovan’s proposed legislation pass, it looks as though it would also be a victory for law enforcement that sometimes sees their hands tied in terms of engaging or subduing the aggression of Antifa.
The bill also states:
“(b) Rule Of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to deter any law enforcement officer from lawfully carrying out the duties of his office; and no law enforcement officer shall be considered to be in violation of this section for lawfully carrying out the duties of his office or lawfully enforcing ordinances and laws of the United States, the District of Columbia, any of the several States, or any political subdivision of a State. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term ‘law enforcement officer’ means any officer of the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or political subdivision of a State, who is empowered by law to conduct investigations of, or make arrests because of, offenses against the United States, the District of Columbia, a State, or a political subdivision of a State.”
The bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary on Sunday as well, according to congress.gov.