NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A video circulating on social media shows Norfolk police officers arresting a construction worker. Officials confirmed he faces one charge of wearing a mask, which is a felony.
Norfolk police cited a state law that allows officers to charge someone for wearing a mask if it is done with the intent to conceal their identity. The statute includes exceptions for people who wear protective masks for work, health, or safety reasons.
It shall be unlawful for any person over 16 years of age to, with the intent to conceal his identity, wear any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to be or appear in any public place, or upon any private property in this Commonwealth without first having obtained from the owner or tenant thereof consent to do so in writing.
Excerpt from the Code of Virginia
The statute dates back to 1950 and has since been amended multiple times, but not since the COVID-19 pandemic…