Proposed law -
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Backbencher's bill on masked protesters gets Conservative backing
Ottawa- The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, May. 06, 2012 1:57PM EDT
Last updated Sunday, May. 06, 2012 2:06PM EDT
Ottawa- The Canadian Press
Published Sunday, May. 06, 2012 1:57PM EDT
Last updated Sunday, May. 06, 2012 2:06PM EDT
The Harper government is throwing its weight behind a private members' bill that would give police the power to arrest anyone hiding their identity during a riot or unlawful assembly.
Conservative backbencher Blake Richards is proposing penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for protesters who wear a mask or disguise.
Conservative backbencher Blake Richards is proposing penalties of up to five years in prison or a fine of up to $5,000 for protesters who wear a mask or disguise.
Justice Minister Rob Nicholson has formally announced the Conservative majority will support the legislation, meaning it is all but assured of becoming law.
Mr. Richards says the bill is designed to give police more power to prevent the kinds of riots that have caused so much damage, including the current student riots in Quebec, the Stanley Cup riot of last spring in Vancouver and the G20 protests in Toronto two years ago.
Mr. Richards says he sees the bill as primarily preventative in nature, allowing police to step in before violence and property damage escalate.
But civil libertarians are concerned that the legislation will give police the power to break up peaceful protests, which are frequently filled with people in costumes, masks or even face paint that could be construed as concealing identity under the new law.
Mr. Richards says the bill is designed to give police more power to prevent the kinds of riots that have caused so much damage, including the current student riots in Quebec, the Stanley Cup riot of last spring in Vancouver and the G20 protests in Toronto two years ago.
Mr. Richards says he sees the bill as primarily preventative in nature, allowing police to step in before violence and property damage escalate.
But civil libertarians are concerned that the legislation will give police the power to break up peaceful protests, which are frequently filled with people in costumes, masks or even face paint that could be construed as concealing identity under the new law.
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Here is a link to a page that helps you beat facial recognition software even if you cannot mask yourself.
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