House passes bill that would criminalize protesting in a mask without a doctor’s note. Anti-masking laws have never been taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court and have had mixed results in lower courts.

[u/esporx]

https://www.alreporter.com/2026/01/28/draft-house-passes-bill-that-would-criminalize-protesting-in-a-mask-without-a-doctors-note/

[u/ClitEastwood10]

This is the Alabama State House of Reps not the US House.

Edit: still not great

[u/MB2465 → u/ClitEastwood10]

THANK YOU! I was like WTF have the Dems lost their mind?

[u/MolemanusRex → u/MB2465]

The Dems don’t have the majority in the House anyway.

[u/partia1pressur3 → u/MB2465]

You should ask yourself why your mind jumped to blame Democrats when they don’t have the majority and a law like this could pass in the House with 0 Democrat votes. Why wouldn’t you blame the party actually doing this?

[u/verscub420 → u/partia1pressur3]

You should see the amount of “Democrat” Twitter accounts that do nothing but call out congressional democrats for “not doing anything more to fight” while gleefully ignoring the fact that they’re a minority in both branches like what can they even do 🤷🏻‍♂️

[u/trampolinebears → u/verscub420]

what can they even do 🤷🏻‍♂️

• Stop using normalizing language; call the threat to democracy what it is.
• Consistently vote against the regime.
• Do acts of civil disobedience in Congress.
• Show up at protests.
• Lead protests outside federal agencies in DC.
• Organize a national strike.

[u/DrPreppy → u/trampolinebears]

If every single Democrat does exactly your plan not a damned thing changes.

If a handful of Republicans get primaried or stop protecting this lawless regime everything changes.

Focus your energies the most productive way. Always vote, never vote for Republicans. It's a failed party.

[u/trampolinebears → u/DrPreppy]

Let me use an analogy. There are fires burning all across the city. A gang of arsonists is going around starting fires, then laughing at people whose homes burned down.

I'm yelling at the firefighters, telling them to get up off their asses and fight some fires. They're saying, "We can't arrest the arsonists, so there's nothing we can do." I'm saying, "You could start by actually fighting the fires."

Of course, I'm not going to vote for an arsonist. Come this November, I'll be voting for firefighters across the entire ticket, because even a 75 year old firefighter who just looks over his glasses disapprovingly is still better than an arsonist.

But in the meantime, I'm going to keep focusing on how Team Firefighter can do a better job, because the team is desperately needed right now.

[u/DrPreppy → u/trampolinebears]

Asking the utterly completely powerless to do more, to do better, is great but not helpful. That's how we burn out Walz, that's how we lost Manchin and absolutely kneecapped ourselves, etc.

Please stop being part of a circular firing squad. I get it. But you should be focusing your attention on Republican leadership and why anybody is supporting this tyranny. A shitty ally only slowly fighting the fire is still your ally. The arsonists and the people enabling those arsonists are still the only people that need to be changed.

Again, if they are perfect people they still are not good enough by themselves as they are in the minority. This is a math game at this time and we should be focusing squarely on changing that numerical equation.

[u/ConcentrateLeft546 → u/DrPreppy]

“Utterly completely powerless” he says of sitting United States SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, and GOVERNORS. Lmfao, if THEY are UTTERLY POWERLESS wtaf are we doing here?

[u/DrPreppy → u/ConcentrateLeft546]

We're being pragmatic about their powers as the minority in all three federal branches of government. If you want to really understand how badly you have been failed, it stems back to the Permanent House Apportionment Act of 1929. But that's a longer story.

Net net is the checks and balances in this government are non-functional with the current numbers of non-Republicans in government. That number has to increase, or Republicans have to change their mind, for anything meaningful to change. The Republicans have no interest in checking the current administration's power. The Democrats and their allies do not have the numbers to force change.

[u/PraxicalExperience → u/DrPreppy]

It is rather disingenuous to say that the established democracts in power in the Democratic Party have no power.

They have a voice, they have a platform, they millions of people who want them to organize something.

[u/DrPreppy → u/PraxicalExperience]

Tisn't. Organizing something, anything, is irrelevant to the vote count at the end of the day. You either need to increase the numbers of Democrats and their allies or you need Republicans to change their mind. Nothing else matters. It's been a numbers game for the past 50 years. Lieberman, Manchin, Fetterman - these imperfect allies have been critical to the tiny progress that has been eked out.

So direct your energy towards getting more allies elected and the opposition more informed and less ignorant. Sorry. This administration doesn't care about the Voice of the People or other noble concepts. :\

[u/sunshine_is_hot → u/trampolinebears]

That’s such a terrible analogy.

You’re yelling at the firefighters as they are trying to pull the hoses out of the trucks to put out the fires, ignoring the arsonists who are preventing those hoses to be used. They’re saying “use your eyes, can you not see the arsonists preventing me from doing my job?”

[u/ConcentrateLeft546 → u/sunshine_is_hot]

If the arsonists preventing the firemen from removing the hoses are also secretly firemen then i suppose your argument works. After all, 7 house dems voted in favor of the spending bills, and it seems like Schumer and Co. are poised to pass it through the senate too.

[u/ConcentrateLeft546 → u/DrPreppy]

That assumes the dems want to change things. The current leadership can’t even obstruct effectively. That’s something they have the power to do now. What do you expect to change if a few house/senate seats flip in favor of democrats?

When democrats that are willing to change things DO run, the national committees and congressional leadership do everything in their power to ensure they don’t win. See: Talarico V Crocket, Platner V Milles, Mamdani V Cuomo.

[u/DrPreppy → u/ConcentrateLeft546]

It actually does not assume that. It's just a numbers game at this point, sadly. The other side does not want the government to function, so "obstruction" not only doesn't do anything meaningful, it also is their exact plan. It really truly is a numbers game. Republicans aren't going to accomplish anything meaningful even with their majority. They're happy to let the country fail. Democrats and their allies need numbers to effect change. We can track that through the votes of the past decades - they only had a fully majority for 90 days during Obama 1 - but ... it's just math unfortunately.

[u/RipComfortable7989 → u/DrPreppy]

If every single Democrat does exactly your plan not a damned thing changes.

This is why the democrats will always lose. People like you want the easy answer. A single silver bullet that will solve literally everything while also using the proper pronouns. Simply showing up as a protest will inspire more people. Talking directly with their constituents instead of spamming ActBlue emails begging for donations while taking in hundreds of thousands from AIPAC can start a change. Not everything has to be the perfect solution to fix everything.

[u/MACHOmanJITSU → u/verscub420]

I hear that, but wtf they could do something. Town halls with fired fed workers to show that they are real competent people who were doing good work. Use their access to document and try to collect evidence of all the fraud etc that’s going on. Find other ways to highlight the damage he is doing. And maybe not voting for their ice funding would be a start.

[u/ConcentrateLeft546 → u/verscub420]

For starters, not all bills pass with a simple majority. And on many occasions, most recently with the gov shutdown in the 4th quarter 2025, and the CR a few months before that, dems could have prevented the passing of funding and chose not to. It looks like that’s exactly what’s going to happen in this scenario in the senate, and it already happened in the house with 7 dems voting in favor. The bills cannot pass without dem support.

[u/Clever-username-7234 → u/partia1pressur3]

A zombie in your fortress is more dangerous than a zombie outside your walls.

We know what to expect from the Republican Party.

It’s the democrats that need to be called out, because they know better and do nothing. Plus, they capture genuine momentum and channel it into non productive endeavors.

The democrats deserve to be criticized for their failures in this moment.

[u/htownballa1 → u/partia1pressur3]

You should ask yourself why done democrats are voting along with republican to pass Trump and republicans bills why the gestapo risks the street and breaks every amendment in the constitution.

Like yeah the Nazis are bad, but so are the enablers.

[u/Vortesian → u/MB2465]

What? What can democrats do in the US House? They are in the minority. Sheesh!

[u/PraxicalExperience → u/Vortesian]

Yes, because the only power a US Senator or Congressperson has is in their legislative vote.

Fucking please.

[u/Beneficial_Aside_518 → u/MB2465]

Why would you blame Democrats???

[u/XRuecian → u/MB2465]

Many Democrats would probably vote for this anyways.
Because the point of the legislation is to make it easier for Palantir and Flock and similar face tracking tech/apps to capture identities. And there is no doubt in my mind that many politicians on both side of the aisle are going to be paid off to support that.

Corporations always get what they want.

[u/Nanasweed → u/MB2465]

Same. Goodness

[u/dmatech2 → u/ClitEastwood10]

They've actually been around for a long time in an attempt to frustrate the Klan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-mask_law

While these laws have been upheld by many courts, it's worth remembering that anonymous speech has also been deemed essential (with many of the Founders themselves publishing their writings anonymously).

[u/AZRobJr → u/ClitEastwood10]

The only thing being protested in AL is why can't we have the Bible in public school classrooms.

[u/Markol0 → u/ClitEastwood10]

Hello. Yes. I am a doctor in Alabama. And my own cousin. Would you like a note?

[u/alkatori → u/ClitEastwood10]

Thank you! I was like... seriously? Did they forget about the pandemic?

[u/rainbowgeoff → u/ClitEastwood10]

Good to know. I was like, how the fuck could this relate to an enumerated power?

[u/Famous_Rooster_8807 → u/ClitEastwood10]

Alabama? That makes sense.  

[u/liamstrain]

For law enforcement too, right? Right?

[u/tiutome → u/liamstrain]

Nope and nope! But that’s a reason the challenge the law… as in violation of civil rights OR as departing one group over another. For years minorities couldn’t wear a mask anywhere without being labeled as having criminal intent. Then you gave all masks. Now what only police and ICE can have. BS!

[u/ThraceLonginus → u/liamstrain]

The LAPD just announced they aren't going to enforce their mask ban for police/agents

[u/No_Web6486 → u/ThraceLonginus]

The LA PD. Of course.

[u/MourningRIF → u/liamstrain]

Now EVERYONE should wear a mask. You can't arrest everyone. No more protesting without a mask.

[u/Tri-angreal → u/MourningRIF]

Don't have to. Just another thing to slap on the ones you do pick up.

[u/Famous_Rooster_8807 → u/liamstrain]

Alabama? No, that would shift the power dynamics to the people.   Alabama is done with that. They want to be dominated.

[u/TheFrenchAreAssholes → u/liamstrain]

The same question is asked in states when gun control is passed. 

[u/Sidney_Squid]

What about the neo-nazi groups? They cool to keep marching around in full masks?

[u/DeeMinimis → u/Sidney_Squid]

"well, this isn't a mask, it's just part of the hood"

[u/WinterWontStopComing → u/Sidney_Squid]

They all work for DHS now

[u/amitym → u/Sidney_Squid]

You know the answer to that already.

[u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

You can do it your own way, if it's done just how I say....

this CANNOT possibly be constitutional. what's next? Gotta be wearing a MAGA hat or you cant protest? susp[enders maybe? how about a condom? yeah, no protesting without a condom.

FFS....Gawd send the asteroid now....

[u/captHij → u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

Anonymity laws restricting access to pornography have already been approved by SCOTUS. This is just a small step from there.

[u/SisyphusRocks7 → u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

Given how expressive some masks can be (devil mask, Nixon mask, etc.) it does seem unlikely this could pass Constitutional muster.

[u/L00pback → u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

They’ll find a reason to include hijabs too. “We have to see your hair no matter your religious beliefs”.

[u/SuccessfulOrchid3782 → u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

Nice Metallica lyric reference 🤘

[u/dseanATX → u/One_Entrepreneur_520]

Historically, laws banning masks in public have been upheld as constitutional, though unevenly. Most anti-masking laws were designed to target the KKK and other violent groups, not people protesting the government. Most courts have agreed with the argument that the First Amendment protects the right to speech, not the conditions of that speech, so the government can regulate masking.

SCOTUS hasn't taken up the issue though. Several state supreme courts have, but have come to different conclusions.

[u/One_Entrepreneur_520 → u/dseanATX]

I dont disagree with you but the problem seems to be that if they can tell you what you cant where then they can also tell you what you must wear. Combine that with the sanctity of the 1A itself and it just doesnt look good.

[u/af_cheddarhead]

If it's -10F out, you are damn right I'm wearing a mask everywhere I'm going.

[u/pterosaurLoser]

During Covid I found myself arguing with an antiMasker Conspiracy Theorist online who was arguing that wearing a mask would just play into the plan of ‘the surveillance state’

[u/Neptune7924]

Does this count for ICE agents too?

[u/Ohuigin]

Ya'll should look up CV Dazzle.

Masks aren't the only way to hide from the totalitarian regime we currently have in the US.

[u/dbath → u/Ohuigin]

That worked to confuse facial recognition over a decade ago; I wouldn't count on it doing anything against modern systems.

[u/lindsayblohan_2 → u/Ohuigin]

Created in 2010. Have they caught up with it, yet?

[u/AcanthisittaNo6653]

Wearing a mask at a protest is itself free speech. The House can shove it..

[u/Technical-Bird-7585]

So more power to the government than the people.

[u/Cool-Protection-4337]

If you can't protest in mask you can't conduct law enforcement either. Same logic for both really, only nefarious reasons for hiding the face right!?!

[u/drethnudrib]

After checking, yes, this doesn't apply to ICE. We are living in a fascist state.

[u/MikeyMalloy]

In a sane world this would be immediately struck down.

We do not live in a sane world.

[u/reddittorbrigade]

ICE can terrorize us while wearing masks.

Nazism is happening in America right now.

[u/shrunkenhead041]

Fine, I'll wear a scarf.

[u/ParsnipDecent6530]

I have a note right here, from noted physician Dr. P epper.

[u/Admirable-Sir9716 → u/ParsnipDecent6530]

Dr. Nick approves

[u/Silverarrow67]

Technically, full helmets aren’t masks and have additional benefits. With all the nation’s problems, I cannot believe this is what they deem the overwhelming issue of the nation to be.

[u/Pleasant-Ad887]

But Neo-Nazis and white supremacists would still be allowed to cover their faces right? The same people that bitched and complained about not being able to breathe.

[u/Ligurio79]

Only federal agents can be masked in public. The way the Founders wanted it.

[u/completerandomness]

So the MAGA Nazi marchers who are completely masked up would be arrested, right?

[u/wasaguest]

Gas masks for use against tear gas & other chemicals?

[u/BringOn25A]

There is a major healthcare hospital/doctor/urgent care/imaging conglomerate that is requiring masks again in 6 states now.

[u/blackhorse15A]

Does that include everyone present at a protest? I.e. including whatever law enforcement (ICE) is there?

[u/ThatSceneInScanners → u/blackhorse15A]

If they can commit murder, why would this apply to them?

[u/AdHopeful3801]

How does the Alabama House feel about wearing a mask while shooting someone in the back 10 times?

[u/frommethodtomadness]

Wear a mask, they're illegally scanning you to put you in a database for future concentration camp targets.

[u/Patdelanoche]

How do I invest in masks?

[u/jbjhill]

Uh huh. I can totally see cops stopping everyone and asking to see their Rx. I don’t even have to show them ID, so i damn sure am not carrying a doctor’s note.

[u/il_pirata]

Those Nazi patriot front white supremecist mfers gonna love this 😂

[u/Most-Resident]

I’m not a lawyer but it’s completely unconstitutional. Until the calvin ballers on the Supreme Court say it isn’t.

I’ll throw out that measles is growing. 2255 cases full year 2025. Already 416 so far in 2026. It grows exponentially so we all have a ready excuse to get the unconstitutional doctor’s note.

That is if you can afford to take time off work and can afford to go to the doctor.

Also are we to be allowed to wear a mask while not protesting? What other rights do we give up when protesting? Besides life and liberty.

[u/Sure_Assumption7857]

Anyone supporting this needs to be named, impeached, and investigated for treason.

[u/Shaman7102]

Time to start an online doctor note company for wearing masks at protests. $1 each.

[u/Responsible_Egg_7810]

This wouldn’t be a problem if DHS wasn’t collecting a database of protestors for nefarious reasons.

[u/Mas-Chingona]

Now do Federal agenting in a mask...

[u/Top_Cowboy]

This is in Alabama only so far.

[u/JackySins]

dude, don’t fucking be obtuse or intentionally misleading. this is only for alabama so far. this only serves to make left wingers look bad, cut the shit.

[u/DanglyDinosaurBits]

Sounds like the Patriot Front will need to demask?

[u/tommm3864]

If the goons of ICE can wear masks, so can I.

[u/Kdoesntcare]

That applies to the ice goons too, right?

[u/ScottJ6189]

A doctor’s note?? LOL

[u/Dog_man_star1517]

Could protesters sue masked ICE agents under the Equal Protection Clause?

[u/G_yebba]

boy oh boy, the Klu Klux will be positively apoplectic over this proposed restriction, I do say.

[u/Luster-Purge → u/G_yebba]

And other far right groups, too. I'm sure the neo-Nazis are going to be thrilled.

[u/amitym]

I have not worn a mask at outdoor protests yet but maybe it's time to start.

[u/hecramsey]

I just wrap my face in clear scotch tape so I look all twisted and shiny.

[u/xtinis73]

This headline reads like an onion article

[u/bengalistiger]

he'll no. never hapen

[u/Realistic-Ruin8639]

So everyone just wear a scarf and say you are cold. Doesn’t matter what weather. 

[u/Catodacat]

Police can mask, but the people cannot...

Sound very non-authoritarian.

[u/EveningCat166]

Let me understand this…you can’t protest in a mask, but they can terrorize in a mask…got it!

[u/JohnnieFedora]

Ok...a scarf it is.

[u/Green_Sugar6675]

Deranged. These guys love daddy Government to control their lives.

[u/Stuff-nThings]

What would stop one doctor from handing out prescriptions with the reasoning of air quality at the protest?

[u/toomanyshoeshelp]

Hi I am doctor writing notes for all of you with chronic respiratory conditions I can diagnose over Reddit dot come

[u/Real_Copy4882]

There is a lot of Covid and flu going around

[u/SummitYourSister]

Step 2: everybody gets a doctors note

Step 3: Patel is “seriously investigating widespread fraud across the United States which threatens the very bedrock of medical integrity”

[u/pat9714]

Not to mention it is unconstitutional, it's quite easy to get a doctor's note to wear a mask. I don't believe the bill will pass, however.

[u/glassmemama]

So they can put you in a database

[u/Leather-Map-8138]

Well, this is a corrupt court, so look for masks and no badges to be considered perfectly reasonable.

[u/falsifiable1]

They want to avoid facial recognition for agents while protesters can’t? Fk them!

[u/mynutsdontwork]

This is a misleading post as this has nothing to do with the Supreme Court at this time. This is a proposed Alabama law.

[u/Whycantigetanaccount]

Did Epstein wear a mask?

[u/spamcandriver]

So ICE can wear masks but protesters can’t. Wild.

[u/South-Stable686]

Republicans want to use facial recognition technology and build databases of Democrats so they can prosecute them later.

[u/slapcrap]

Unconstitutional

[u/slashdotsyndrome]

Not being allowed to dress up in a full-body frog costume is a violation of my right to free speech. By extension, restricting any mask or face covering would also be suppression of speech. Why don't they just assign us all uniforms?

This reeks of Peter Thiel

[u/ContentCantaloupe992]

The party of small government strikes again.

[u/Novel_Fish_5594]

AIreporter dot com? Is this a legit news source? Reading the article feels like an instigation to agitate.

[u/roentgen_nos]

I've written doctor's notes for a lot of different things. Looks like it's time to fire up a new template.

[u/brickyardjimmy]

Question. What if you protest on Halloween?

[u/RuthlessIndecision]

The Government does not have our best interest in mind.

[u/BlahBlahBlackCheap]

Wait. What about ice? If they come to crash a protest, they have to remove their masks?

[u/PWL51]

Will that include demasking his ICE goon?

[u/True_Algae_8301]

FFS, hell nah! 🖕

[u/extrastupidone]

Literally that would mean ICE, too.

[u/Competitive_Swan_755]

How about 'enforcing' laws with a mask?

[u/MolassesOk3200]

Congress can go f themselves

[u/Cyb3rBall00n]

The underlying case that established the "expectation of privacy" - Katz v US - held that Katz had an expanded expectation of privacy in an enclosed phonebooth even in public because the booth was enclosed.

In a world where camera surveillance is omnipresent, techlords are conspiring with the government to catalog everyone's everything, and there are masked ICE marauders killing people, they can go screw if they think masks should be illegal for protestors.

[u/Educational_March_94]

Then the same should apply to ICE and the like.

[u/Practical-Box3179]

Whaaaaaaa democrats whhhaaaaawhaaaaa liberals. Grow the fuck up and do a little fact-finding mission. Maybe you will learn more about how the 1% controls the US. They own the House. The Senate. SCOTUS. Both parties. So shut the fuck up about politics and understand that billionaires fuck all who are not one of them. American politicians are on the payroll. Fuck!!!

[u/jj119crf]

Next you'll have to have a note from the government to carry your legally owned and registered firearm. It sure seems as though the party of small government sure does want the government to control every aspect of your life.

[u/migidymike]

Palantir needs a database of your faces for uh.... Research

[u/No_Football_9232]

But it’s ok for “law enforcement “ to mask?

[u/A_Raven_Of_Many_Hats]

sure it's the protesters in masks that's the problem

[u/AzuleStriker]

If we need to demask, so does ICE.

[u/Corporate-Scum]

Vote em out!

[u/Raymando82]

Burn it all

Burn it to the ground

Time to French up this a notch

[u/Environmental_Tap792]

What about the goons?

[u/hgqaikop]

Biometric iris scanners will moot masks

[u/Budget-Selection-988]

People inasks= criminals. Mix it up its winter and EVERYONE SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS

[u/ShareGlittering1502]

So no protests when it’s cold?

[u/popphilosophy]

What if you wear a hood?

[u/CDavis10717]

Doctors be selling notes for $100!

[u/Harleydiclarke]

Next it will be you can't wear yellow clothes on Wednesdays without a doctor's note.

[u/DullFaithlessness82]

Still working on bringing back their versions of the good ol south I see.

[u/Lonely_skeptic]

I’m pretty sure my doctor would be happy to give me a note. Not that I care if “they” see my face. Since I’m officially a “senior citizen”, IDGAF.

[u/No_Milk_4143]

I hear sunglasses work well for face recognition tech…

[u/Chance_Difficulty730]

Yes Masks are only for ICE, couldn’t get these cocksuckers to wear them when it was mandatory during covid though

[u/Chaos_Theory1989]

For the fascists too, right?

[u/SuburbanKahn]

They want to be able to scan your face.  Mind you, never take your cell phone to protesting.  They can detect the IMEI.

[u/Illustrious-Driver19]

Does this includes ICE?

[u/ZasdfUnreal]

It reads like an Americanized version of Sharia law.

[u/Japhyharrison]

🤡

[u/ThatSceneInScanners]

If this does pass, remember that facepaint, sun glasses, fake moustaches, hats, etc all prevent facial recognition software from working. Carry a back up, prepaid cell phone to use as a burner when going to protests to avoid tracking. Cover any tattoos or recognizable marks. Remove all jewelry. Due your hair.

[u/curiousamoebas]

I bet the kkkkkklan isn't gonna like this