Effort to ban mask mandates on public transportation gains steam as another big supporter joins the fight
The effort to ban mask mandates on public transportation recently gained a major boost when a well-known advocate for civil liberties joined the fight.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced its support for the campaign, which seeks to overturn a recent U.S. federal health policy requiring masks on public transport and enforcement by federal law enforcement agents.
The ACLU argues that there is no evidence to support the policy and that it disproportionately affects low-income communities, people of color, and those who may have difficulty affording or accessing masks.
The organization is now urging Congress to support legislation that would prohibit the mandatory mask policy on all public transportation, stating that such a ban “would recognize the right of people to decide for themselves how to assemble safely.”
The ACLU’s involvement in the fight against the mask policy has been welcomed by other supporters of the movement who see the civil liberties group’s support as a major step in the right direction.
The ACLU’s action also comes as the Biden administration is reportedly considering expanding the mask policy to other areas, prompting the organization to stress the importance of keeping it limited to public transportation only.
For now, the fight against the policy continues, with supporters hoping that the ACLU’s involvement will be the tipping point for changing the policy.