New York Mayor Eric Adams on Monday came out in favor of reinstating the mask ban in the Big Apple, particularly in subways, protests and other non-health-related areas to curb crime, adding that “cowards cover their faces.”
Adams met with reporters Monday afternoon, when he was asked about the possibility of implementing a mask ban.
Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-New York, said she was considering reinstating her state's mask ban to reduce crime. Her proposal was rejected by some on social media who still fear the COVID-19 virus.
During an interview with CNN anchor Laura Coates last Wednesday, Hochul was asked about possible steps he could take to reduce rampant crime in New York City, including reinstating the previous ban on masks. Jewish leaders have said masks have made violent criminals less afraid of committing anti-Semitic hate crimes.
NEW YORK GOVERNMENT. HOCHUL SAYS HE IS CONSIDERING A BAN ON MASKS TO REDUCE HATE CRIMES, TRIGGERING USERS OF X COVID FEARS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Monday that he supports banning masks in non-health-related settings. (Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
When asked about Hochul's proposal, Adams told the reporter that it was an appropriate implementation.
“I am a strong supporter of the decision to suspend masks in our subway system, masks at protests and masks in other areas where it is not…health related,” Adams said.
The mayor explained that the public will likely see the “despicable hateful behavior” seen throughout the city begin to dissipate with the implementation of a mask ban.
RESTORATION OF HOCHUL'S MASK MANDATE TO STOP HATE CRIMES WON'T WORK, HAS 'LAUNDRY LIST' OF EXCEPTIONS: RESIDENTS
New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was in favor of a mask ban, adding that if protesters want to talk about controversial issues, they should do so without covering their faces. (REUTERS/David Dee Delgado)
“Masks are not new and covering your face while doing terrible things is not new,” Adams said. “There were some guys who used to walk around with hoods in the deep south. So, cowards cover their faces.”
He told those who protest, if they believe in something, to stand up and show their faces while they believe and talk about it.
DEMO CHAMBER THAT QUESTIONED THE OFFER IN THE PRIMARY GOVERNMENT CALLS. HOCHUL WILL FORGIVE TRUMP FOR THE 'GOOD OF THE COUNTRY'
“My team is working on a solution, but in the subways, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes,” Gov. Kathy Hochul previously said. (Getty Images)
But, those who stand on New York City trains and tell people to raise their hands if they are Zionists and then tell them to get off the train should show their faces, Adams said.
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“I think the governor is in the right place and I strongly support him,” Adams said of Hochul's proposal. “I hope we get it done… The faster we get it done, I think we'll stop a lot of these crimes that we're seeing.”
Fox News Digital's Gabriel Hays contributed to this report.
