“Occupy Wall St.” will be “Occupy Halloween” for one day

Several Anti-Wall St. protesters in New York City have been arrested for wearing masks at recent rallies. New York State does have a law banning masked gatherings, but in a law dating back to 1845, masks are allowed for “a masquerade party or like entertainment”. The organizers of “Occupy Wall St.” said on its website that they are invited to join the “Village Halloween Parade” on Monday, October, 31st, and have set up an “Occupy Halloween” website. The parade attracts thousands of onlookers and is broadcast live on local television. N.Y. Civil Liberties Executive Director Donna Lieberman said: “Behavior that falls within the (New York state mask law’s) exemption cannot be criminalized simply because it has a political message.” See the Reuters news story here.