ASHFIELD — A proposed bylaw that would prohibit law enforcement officers in Ashfield from arresting or detaining individuals while masked is expected to be put before Annual Town Meeting voters next May.
If approved, the bylaw, proposed by resident and Vietnam veteran Norman Russell, would make it punishable by a $300 fine for law enforcement officers to “detain, seize or arrest” any Ashfield resident while masked, unless the mask is worn for the express purpose of preventing or spreading illness, or if the officer is accompanied by a “fully uniformed, unmasked” law enforcement officer whose identity and credentials are known.
“This would provide the local police with the authority to demand that masked people identify themselves if they’re trying to arrest local residents. You might think that’s just common sense, but this is what’s going on,” Russell said, referencing a national trend of masked federal law enforcement agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arresting residents. “It’s just wrong. It’s inappropriate in a free and open society. That’s not what I fought for or believe in.”
Russell discussed his bylaw proposal, which would come in the form of a citizen’s petition, with the Selectboard this week. Chair Tom Carter explained that, per town bylaws, Russell would need to collect 100 signatures for the proposal to come before a Special Town Meeting. Though a Special Town Meeting is planned for Nov. 3, Russell would need to collect those signatures by the end of next week for it to be included on the warrant. However, only 10 signatures are required to bring the matter to Annual Town Meeting.
When asked how easy the bylaw would be for local police to enforce, Russell explained that while it would be difficult to put local officials up against the federal government, he feels the bylaw is necessary — especially in New England.
“You wouldn’t want to put the police in a [tough] position,” he said. “But the town should take a position on its laws. New England is where the whole idea of democracy really originated and it’s important to maintain the integrity of the democratic system.”
