i believe the law said anyone caught inciting violence or breaking the law WHILE WEARING A MASK got 2 years added to their sentence.
so they're not sitting around exchanging smores and singing campfire songs in a casper mask so just stop it.
I looked it up. There's two parts to it. Interference with protected rights and destroying buildings while "disguised."
The part about destroying property is a little clearer that the "Interference with protected rights" section. You're right, it basically says an added 2 years on top of whatever the sentence is for the actual offense. The part about Interference with protected rights is wildly vague. "Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, while in disguise, including while wearing a mask, injures, oppresses, threatens or intimidates any person.... shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both."
So i stand corrected on one point: it's not "pre-arresting" so to say, but i'll maintain that this could easily be used in that manner. What does "mask" mean? Is a bandanna a mask? Does covering one's mouth but not nose count as a mask? Does covering one's forehead and nose but not their mouth count as a mask? And what does "disguise" mean? Trench coat and rubber nose and glasses? Dressed in steampunk gear? What does "oppress" or "threaten" or "intimidate" mean in this context? If i stand in someone's way from walking on the sidewalk, am i oppressing them? Or intimidating them? If i'm just a big strong dude wearing a bandanna on my head and give someone a strong look, am i intimidating them?
There's so much potential for the misapplication of the law that it's silly. It's attempting to cover things that are already crimes, which is my point. If someone commits a crime, it doesn't matter what they're wearing, they get charged for the crime. And if they're wearing a mask and therefore get away, you can't really apply this proposed law anyway.
This is nothing but an attempt by an authoritarian politician to use the government to beat down his political opponents. It's a horrible thing when anyone does it, regardless of their jersey color.