Not wanting to be outdone, our neighbors to the north are looking to bring more tyranny upon its people:
A proposed private members’ bill would make it a crime for protesters to wear a mask or disguise while participating in a riot or unlawful assembly, and this week the Harper government put its weight behind the legislation.
The Conservative majority on a House of Commons committee that’s examining the bill took matters a step further Thursday by doubling the proposed maximum prison term to 10 years from five.
Government MPs passed the amendment over the objections of the NDP opposition, who argue the bill is a sham because wearing a mask to commit a crime is already an offence under the Criminal Code.
So it’s going to be illegal to wear a mask while participating in a riot or “unlawful assembly?” Isn’t participating in a riot already illegal? What the hell is an “unlawful assembly?”
What is the point of laws like this other than to expand the police state? I can think of none as these laws simple make acts that are already illegal more, uhh, illegaler I guess. Whether somebody is wearing a mask while participating in a riot should be irrelevant, the only things that are relevant are whether or not they hurt anybody or damaged property. Masks aren’t enchanted items that give +2 to melee or +2 to smashing shit and thus are not relevant regarding any crimes.
Oh well, this does demonstrate that the police state is expanding everywhere, not just in the United States of America.
Aren’t the police wearing gas masks “participating in a riot or unlawful assembly” when they turn out in full gear to catch bottle and bricks thrown by the crowd?
As a person who believes all should be equal under the law I agree entirely. If protesters and rioters can get 10 years in prison for wearing a mask then the police should as well.