Alerj approves law against the use of masks in protests.
A substitute bill, drafted by Representative Bernardo Rossi (PMDB), establishes that "the use of masks or any other means of concealing a citizen's face with the purpose of preventing their identification is specifically prohibited."
Vladimir Platonow
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro – State deputies in Rio approved yesterday (10) a bill that prohibits the use of masks in demonstrations. Of a total of 70 deputies in the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj), 62 were present and 12 voted against. The parliamentarians considered a substitute bill, drafted by deputy Bernardo Rossi (PMDB), which modified the original bill, by deputies Paulo Melo and Domingos Brazão, both from PMDB.
The bill establishes, in its Article 2, that "the use of masks or any other means of concealing a citizen's face with the purpose of preventing their identification is specifically prohibited." The text also states that it will be necessary to notify the police authority of the public gathering, with prior communication to the police station in the region where the protest will take place.
Of the 13 amendments presented, Rossi only accepted two. To one of them, he added a paragraph to Article 3, defining that the ban on the use of masks does not apply to cultural events established in the state's official calendar, which includes, for example, Carnival.
Another added paragraph establishes that "the call for a demonstration of thought is considered to have been communicated to the police authority when it occurs via the internet and with a notice period equal to or greater than 48 hours."
The following deputies voted against the project: Geraldo Pudim (PR), Marcelo Freixo (PSOL), Luiz Paulo (PSDB), Clarissa Garotinho (PR), Comte Bittencourt (PPS), Inês Pandeló (PT), Janira Rocha (PSOL), Samuel Malafaia (PSD), Robson Leite (PT), Gilberto Palmares (PT), Cida Diogo (PT) and Lucinha (PSDB).
Editing: Fabio Massalli