Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, recently signed a new bill that banned the sales of confederate flags.
The signing of the bill into law is another means of banning ‘hate symbols’ like the confederate flag as well as swastika upon the state-owned property. This comes into effect even while the Governor admits that the new approach might clash with the nation’s First Amendment. Therefore, it might receive backlash for being unconstitutional.
In the same way, Mr. Cuomo announced how the new law would get effective immediately. Just like that, it also will prohibit the selling of all forms of hate symbols that are used on public grounds.
This includes those present at the state as well as local fairs. Also, it severely limits the display, until and unless termed relevant for educational or some sort of historical purpose.
On the other hand, Governor Cuomo goes on to say that this new rule needs a certain number of technical changes. Therefore, the Empire State won’t get caught treading over protections against free speech. And that is all codified in the country’s First Amendment.
In his approval message, Cuomo mentions how the US continually faced pervasive as well as growing attitude hate with intolerance. And he emphasized how he terms it as American cancer.
Hence, limiting the general display as well as sales for the confederate flag and Nazi’s swastika, alongside other symbols of hate, will assist in safeguarding citizen’s rights. This comes with eliminating all forms of fear regarding these abhorrent symbols, he also mentioned.
Mr. Cuomo continued his message with how he fully supports the spirit that comes with the legislation.
In the same way, he confirmed how there are still some technical changes that are needed for the balance of the state’s interests. This includes preventing the use of hate symbols upon state land, along with protections of free speech that come embodied in the US constitution’s First Amendment.