Free Republic

Some residents say the new regulation makes them feel safer, while others say it compromises their survival.For Leem Washington, ski masks aren’t just a fashion accessory that protects his face from the biting cold of Philadelphia winters — they also keep him from being a victim of mistaken identity. “In Philly, you have to pick your poison,” said Washington, 19, noting that growing up in West Philadelphia, one of the most crime-plagued parts of the city, has left him in a constant state of “paranoia.” Ski masks, he said, are a form of protection from being wrongly identified for a...

Philadelphia City Council members voted last week to ban the wearing of ski masks in some public places. Council members voted 13-2 to approve the bill, which allows the city to fine people $250 for wearing a ski mask, also called a balaclava, in parks, schools, day-care centers and city-owned buildings and on public transit. There are exceptions for religious expression and First Amendment activities such as protesting. Progressive Councilmember Kendra Brooks of the Working Families Party and Democrat Jamie Gauthier voted against the bill. The ACLU also opposes the bill.

t the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Philadelphia started #MaskUpPHL, encouraging Philadelphians to wear masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. The Philadelphia City Council’s COVID-19 Community Advertising Plan laid the groundwork for a $400,000 communications campaign entailing radio public service announcements, video messaging from Council members, billboard advertising and newspaper advertisements. It was wonderful. Our city government was making strides to take care of its people, letting us know the protective benefits of mask-wearing. What none of us anticipated, however, was the rise in popularity of so-called “Pooh Shiesty” masks, known to non-Gen Z’ers as...

Jussie Smollett is now officially in the crosshairs of law enforcement, because Chicago PD said he's now "officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation ... for filing a false police report." The cops say detectives are currently presenting evidence to a Cook County Grand Jury. If Smollett is charged the felony carries a maximum 3-year prison sentence. We're told the 2 brothers are at the courthouse now and are expected to testify ... most probably today.

SPRINGFIELD — Effingham County sheriff deputies have reported the early Sunday morning arrest of three men to the federal Joint Terrorism Task Force. The men, two from Russia and one from Kazakhstan, were found near Georgia Power’s Plant McIntosh on Old Augusta Road about 1 a.m. Sunday after a ranger with the Department of Natural Resources reported a suspicious vehicle, Effingham County sheriff’s spokesman David Ehsanipoor said. Deputies reported the men, who were inside a 1995 Nissan Pathfinder, had a machete, shovel, wire cutters and ski masks. One man also had black silk stockings in his front left pocket. Arrested...

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2005 – Two American soldiers in Iraq were killed by improvised explosive devices July 16. Another two soldiers were wounded. In the first incident, a soldier assigned to the 155th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), died July 16 of wounds received July 15 from a car-bomb attack. The incident reportedly occurred during combat operations near Iskandariyah. Also on July 16, at about 4:00 p.m. in the Kirkuk province, an IED killed one Task Force Liberty soldier and wounded two other soldiers. The two wounded soldiers were taken to a coalition forces medical treatment facility....