Why the need to cover up ?

[NecessaryNC24]

Genuine question: why do pro -Hamas protesters feel the need to cover their faces during protests.

Are you ultimately ashamed ?

If that was the reason I would understand, to be affiliated with terrorists, where actual infants are still held as hostages if not actually dead yet, yeah I'd be truly ashamed.

Were the pro - Palestinian group carrying any illegal signs that were pro-Hamas?

Well they definitely create a lot of anxiety for me. I associate face coverings with wrong doing . ( eg balaclavas were used by paramilitaries/ terrorists in Ireland and are used by bank robbers / muggers etc today)
I also associate face coverings with far right protesters and football hooligan types.

I don’t think I’m unusual in feeling very uncomfortable around a large group of people with covered faces while my face is uncovered.

(USA passed laws against face coverings at one stage because of the activities of the KKK so face covering has a long and disreputable history )

@NecessaryNC24
I work in the field of cognitive psychology and have done extensive research in integrative complexity. Those who have low IC tend to see conflicts as black and white, good vs evil.
I wonder if you might be able to hold two seemingly conflicting items of information in your head at the same time.

Firstly, that there is a need to protest, that the dehumanisation of the Palestinian people and charges of war crimes and ethnic cleansing have merit. That there is a horrific situation unfolding in Rafah as we speak.

Secondly, there is a need to protest, be sad and incensed at the events of October the 7th. That the single most large killing of Jews since the holocaust should be acknowledged by the international community.

I wonder if you might be able to hold two seemingly conflicting items of information in your head at the same time

And I wonder if you could possibly sound more patronising if you tried.

I don't think in absolutes. I've reached my stance after studying political history from all different sources my whole life, I was studying the complexities of the Middle East 20 years ago, unlike some who have apparently garnered all they need to know from SM over the last 6 months.

I am not Jewish. I am not Muslim. I am a neutral individual asking a question.

And thank you to those who have managed to swerve the antagonism, giving interesting enlightened answers.

Except your answers are in absolutes.

You are definitely not neutral. And where did you study 'the complexities of the Middle East'?
And I am not Muslim either, I'm a Christian Palestinian who wants a secular Palestinian state. So there you go.
I am so bloody angry that Israel originally brought Hamas to power to rival the PA. But I also understand that Hamas is made up of men who are orphans, who, as children, have seen the most gruesome acts against them under occupation. As a teacher I have seen what trauma does to children. Coupled with the world denying the wrongs done to us and turning a blind eye to all the atrocities since; I understand but DO NOT condone Hamas.

I'm surprised anyone who has studied political history would need a thread on a forum to give them examples of why people engaging in protests or other forns of activism might consider there to be a need to protect their identities.

It suggests to me that, like many threads, this was not started in good faith, but instead was started, using decidedly non-neutral language, to further the othering and negativity towards people objecting to ongoing violence and the humanitarian disaster in Palestine.

@NecessaryNC24

As long as people aren’t committing crimes- I agree that they should not have to wear masks.

I can appreciate for some it’s sinister to see people wear masks, but what I find interesting is that some people are worried that supporting the Palestinian cause is considered subversive or threatening to their safety.

If you are worried about people wearing masks - why do you think they have to hide their faces if not committing a crime?

“As long as people aren’t committing crimes- I agree that they should not have to wear masks.”

No one HAS to wear masks so I’m not sure this means what you intended.

I disagree with any form of face covering during public protests for all the reasons I gave above.
I think they should be banned and anyone covering their face should not be allowed to March. ( all marches/ protests/ rallies whatever the cause)

But some people feel they have to wear masks- despite the connotations of masks that you have noted.

The only reason I can think of - if not committing a crime, is that supporting Palestine is considered subversive or a threat to the mask wearer.

@Polka83 we have a range of safety advice for people, including advice about safe travel to and from events. That includes people needing to consider face coverings, changes of clothing, parking cars elsewhere and using shared taxi rides to get to venues, route planning to identify 'safe' shops etc in which to seek help if targeted, not driving straight home and keeping an eye out for anyone following... And these aren't people participating in violence, just ordinary people wanting to exercise their legitimate rights to protest, fundraise or otherwise campaign.

Thank you @Scirocco
Is it not worrying that people need to be given this advice to exercise their right to protest?

“The only reason I can think of - if not committing a crime, is that supporting Palestine is considered subversive or a threat to the mask wearer.”
I find this idea unconvincing for a number of reasons.

1. We have been told several times that the marches are very peaceful and law abiding and I have not heard anyone mention threats to marchers ( apart from threats to the Iranian protester carrying anti Hamas placards and his face was (rightly) uncovered)
2. There are children and old people on the March with uncovered faces. I don’t understand why strong, fit young people therefore feel so vulnerable they must cover their face .
3. If there is such an issue ( regarding for example working at a pro Israeli company and a fear of discrimination for their views ) The protester should either find other ways to support Palestine or consider finding employment that aligns with their values.

Face covering increases tension and fear and creates an environment where people can behave in aggressive and menacing ways with less fear of detection .

I have listened to all the views but in my view the cons massively outweigh any arguments for.

Unfortunately, this is what people need to consider when deciding whether or how to participate in exercising their rights to speak out. It isn't something everyone needs to or feels a need to worry about, but the targeting of activists and protesters is a real concern, so I do understand why some people choose to wear a face covering for those reasons.

It would be nice to live in a society where everyone could be safe to express their views without fear of harm, but we don't live in that society.

Although you are fully entitled to your views, it’s the people wearing the masks who need to weigh up the pros and cons- after all, it is them who will have to change their behaviour.

Unfortunately, as long as people feel they face repercussions for protesting- they will wear masks.

@NecessaryNC24

Can you please clarify whether you mean people who wear masks and appear to support Hamas by also wearing something that affiliates them with Hamas?

Or whether you mean any protestor wearing a mask at a Pro Palestine march?

This article goes into some of the reasons why. This is one mentioned Another anonymously run site features hundreds of profiles of people who have been critical of Israel’s actions or taken part in protests, posting their social media profiles, occupations, home towns and photos of their faces. The site has specific lists for students and faculty, accusing them of antisemitism and supporting terrorism for signing open letters calling for ceasefire, affiliation with pro-Palestinian groups or being in attendance at anti-war rallies. These profiles now show up as top Google results when searching for the names of many of the people listed on the site, especially students with a smaller online presence.

Imagine the top search result on Google for your name calling you a terrorist supporter and antisemitic because you signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire? It's bonkers but all if the threads on here calling people Hamas supporters for speaking out for Palestinians show just how widespread it is.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/30/why-are-pro-palestinian-students-wearing-masks-campus

Unfortunately you don’t need to hold extreme beliefs or have done something wrong to become a target of harassment, which is one reason people may attempt to remain some level of privacy, in this case by wearing a mask.

If there are people who don’t understand this, then lucky you!

I’m sure it’s comforting to believe the world is fair, that people deserve what happens to them and that having nothing to hide means you have nothing to worry about.

Exactly!

I tend to agree with you about the face masks, especially the hamas cosplay costumes.

We know from the internet that anonymity allows you to break boundaries that you would not break if there were a consequence to your actions. Surely this is part of the social contract.

Yes - I can see that argument.
But these women in Iran manage to protest without face covering in a far more oppressive regime https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/chant-women-life-liberty-echoes-around-iran

Those Hamas costumes are frankly ridiculous.

However part of the social contract should be where there is no illegal acts, people should be free to express their views and demonstrate without repercussions. Peaceful protestors clearly don’t feel this

Works both ways.

The protesters have every right , and every good reason to protest. There should be no need to hide their identity

Indeed.