CHAPTER 483

An Act to prohibit the wearing of masks in certain places except under
certain circumstances; to prohibit the placing of certain exhibits on
the property of another, except under certain conditions, and to pro-
hibit the placing of certain exhibits for certain purposes, within the

State.
(S 310]
Approved April 2, 1952

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. It shall be unlawful for any person over sixteen years of age while
wearing any mask, hood or other device whereby a substantial portion of
the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer, to
be or appear in any public place, or to be or appear upon any private prop-
erty in this State without first having obtained from the owner or tenant
thereof consent to do so in writing. Provided, however, that the provisions
of this section shall not apply to persons wearing traditional holiday cos-
tumes, or to persons engaged in professions, trades, employment or other
activities and wearing protective masks which are deemed necessary for the
physical safety of the wearer or other persons, or to persons engaged in
any bona fide theatrical production or masquerade ball.

§ 2. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons to place or cause
to be placed on the property of another in the Commonwealth of Virginia
a burning or a flaming cross or any manner of exhibit in which a burning
or flaming cross, real or simulated, is a whole or a part, without first ob-
taining written permission of the owner or occupier of the premises so
to do.

§ 3. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons while masked or
unmasked to place or cause to be placed anywhere in the Commonwealth
of Virginia any exhibit of any kind or to commit or cause to be committed
any act with the intention of intimidating any person or persons, and
thereby preventing them from doing any act which is lawful, or causing
them to do any act which is unlawful.

§ 4. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be
punished by confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more
than five years, or, in the discretion of the jury, by a fine of not more than
five hundred dollars and a jail sentence of not more than twelve months.