The movers and shakers behind the effort: a group called the Vermont Furs, who are members of the “furry” fandom. Enthusiastic about anthropomorphic cartoon animals, they dress up in hirsute costumes, but had been told that the mask ordinance prohibited them from doing so in public in Burlington. The ACLU of Vermont also played a key role, arguing that the ordinance violated First Amendment rights.
Monday night, the full city council approved a revised ordinance that outlaws masks only if someone is wearing one with the intent of committing a crime, or to intimidate people or infringe on their civil rights.
Members of the Vermont Furs, who have testified in favor of the changes at multiple meetings, hugged each other in the hallway after the vote.
The ACLU, however, isn’t completely satisfied with the outcome. Arguing that it remains “highly susceptible to selective enforcement by police,” the organization posed the following question: “If a person is wearing a mask and not doing anything else suspicious or illegal, how can law enforcement suspect that the person intends to violate another’s rights, harass or intimidate, or is planning to commit a crime, without detaining them for questioning?”
Several councilors raised concerns along these lines. Sara Giannoni observed, “It seems like this is kind of subjective.”
In response, Police Chief Brandon del Pozo testified in favor of keeping the partial mask ban in place, saying that it preserves a tool for law enforcement.
Ultimately, the council unanimously supported the changes but suggested the ordinance may need to be revisited in the future.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
According to the Freep’s report the Furs claimed a large amount of “tourist” revenue lost if this was not changed. I think I missed something as Furs being a big draw
Conventions of the furry or cartoon animal type can rake in millions of dollars for the cities they are held. Pittsburgh PA, home to Anthrocon brings in an estimated 34 million dollars, 28 different countries represented, all the while raising an additional 30k for animal charities.
Unresolved is what constitutes a mask? How about if someone is wearing an eyepatch, something out of Blackbeard the Pirate? Does that count? Incidentally wearing an eyepatch should disrupt facial recognition software used in spy cameras, and defeating the omni-present spying by Homeland Security is a legitimate citizen objective. (Or, you could use face paint and do zebra stripes, akin to a WWII ship, just to keep it interesting.)