#NoNYMaskBan Call Script

🚨 Update 4/29: Hochul announced a budget “agreement” that would criminalize masking — but IT’S NOT FINAL! The budget has NOT passed, and legislators don’t consider it done yet. We can still beat this. She’s hoping we’ll give up. We’re not going to. Things are moving quickly, but it’s not over until the ink is dry, and the ink’s not on the page yet.

Tell your elected officials: NO anti-mask language in the budget! Ask 3 friends to do the same.

Short URL: bit.ly/no-mask-ban

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Who We’re Calling

Begin with your State Senator. Then contact your Assembly Member. Call their Albany offices. If you have time, contact Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Governor Hochul.

How to Use the Tool

This tool is designed to help you make the most impactful call possible. Since personalized messages are most effective, we recommend focusing on one or two points that matter most to you. You can use the checklist to highlight those talking points for easy reference during your call. Before calling, quickly review the script to get comfortable with the flow and pick your messaging. (If you get a voicemail, leave your address so your call will be tallied.)

Key steps for an effective call:

• Identify yourself as a constituent.

• Say “any law that would criminalize masking, including sentencing enhancements” instead of “mask bans.” Some lawmakers claim to oppose “mask bans” while still supporting anti-mask bills.

• Make a personal appeal.

• Use a strong supporting argument.

• Ask for the official’s position, and urge them to speak up in conference and vocally oppose any legislation that penalizes masking in the budget or beyond, including sentencing enhancements.

• Request a follow-up.

📢 After your calls, let us know how it went by filling out our debrief form!

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Call Script Tool

Call: State Senator (Call First) Assembly Member (Call Second) Senate Majority Leader Assembly Speaker Governor Hochul Other

Find My Assembly Member

Find My State Senator

• Phone: 212-298-5585
• Email: scousins@nysenate.gov
• Fax: 518-426-6811

• Phone: 518-455-3791
• Email: speaker@nyassembly.gov
• Fax: 518-455-5459

• Phone: 518-474-8390
• Contact Form
• Fax: 518-474-1513

Find more contact info at CovidAdvocacyNY's toolkit

1. Introduction:

• Hi, my name is [Name], and I'm a constituent in your district.

• I’m calling to oppose the inclusion of any anti-mask legislation, including sentencing enhancements, in the State Budget…

  • If you're Jewish: on behalf of Jews for Mask Rights.

• Any law that would criminalize masking, whether as an enhancement or a ban, is dangerous for New Yorkers.

• That's why I'm asking the Senator to speak up in conference and vocally oppose any legislation that penalizes masking in the budget or beyond, including sentencing enhancements.

• Also, please have them urge Leader Stewart-Cousins to oppose it in negotiations.

• That's why I'm urging Leader Stewart-Cousins to oppose Hochul's inclusion of any anti-mask measures during the budget negotiations.

• That's why I'm urging Gov. Hochul to remove any anti-mask language from the budget negotiations.

• Additionally, I'm asking that they oppose any other anti-mask measures that are brought up.

2. Personal Appeal (Pick One)

This issue is important to me because:

• I wear a mask / People I love depend on masks.

• I don’t want to be punished, harassed, or excluded for wearing a mask.

• As a [marginalized / BIPOC / LGBTQ+] New Yorker, I’m more likely to be targeted by these laws just for trying to stay safe.

• I need to be able to protect myself as protesters are being targeted by the federal government and malicious groups.

• I need as many people masking as possible to protect my health.

• Other

3. Supporting Arguments (Pick one)

• Everyone deserves to protect themselves and others without question.

• Carveouts mean nothing when enforcement relies on vague language, bias, and others' perceptions of threat.

• Masks are a protective medical tool. Stigmatizing them fuels violence and harassment.

• There's no evidence that mask bans reduce crime, but history shows they've been used to target marginalized groups.

• Despite claims of preventing hate crimes, mask bans will primarily be used against BIPOC, undocumented, and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers.

• This bill hands Trump's administration a weapon against dissent, making it harder for Americans to protest. We must be able to exercise our civil liberties without fear of retaliation or punishment.

• We cannot further stigmatize masks while COVID-19, measles, H5N1, and other viruses remain threats. We deserve to protect ourselves, especially as the Trump administration undermines public health.

• Other

4. Find Out Their Position

I urge the Senator to oppose any anti-mask legislation, including sentencing enhancements,. Can you tell me where they stand on including anti-mask legislation in the budget?

• If unsure:

  • Can you please share my concerns with them directly?

  • Can you follow up with me when you have an update?

• If they support bans:

  • Can you please share my concerns with them directly?

  • I’d appreciate it if you could follow up with me.

• If they oppose bans:

  • I’m glad to hear that! Have they made any public statements?

  • I'd love it if they could be more vocal about the dangers of these policies.

  • Please make sure they urge Speaker Heastie to oppose this policy.

• Can you please share my concerns with Gov Hochul directly?

• I’d appreciate it if you could follow up with me.

5. Make Sure They Follow Up

• Can I get your full name, position here, and the best way to reach you?

• My contact info is…

• Looking forward to hearing back from you! If I don't, I will follow up again.

• If sending additional information: I’ve sent an [email/fax] with more detailed information. Please ensure they review it.

• Thank you for your time! I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Help us track positions by filling out our debrief form!

Grow our impact by sending this to at least one friend:

There’s a dangerous anti-mask law being pushed into the NY State budget, and our window to fight back is closing. I just made my calls (it took 5 minutes!), and it really matters. The more calls lawmakers get, the better our chance of getting it removed from the budget. Let me know if you do it!

Can you do it too? This site has everything you need to call:
http://bit.ly/no-mask-ban

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Our call tool works for any group, but this version focuses on the new legislation. For a general anti-mask-ban call script, please see the archived version here.

More Talking Points

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Stand with us by adding your name.

Jews for Mask Rights is an independent group spearheading an open letter signed by Jewish individuals opposing mask bans in New York.
Join us in fighting legislation that threatens our safety.