MANCHESTER, N.H. —

A candidate for Congress is proposing increased penalties for perpetrators of hate crimes who wear masks, following a recent march in Concord by masked individuals carrying swastika flags that sparked public outrage.

Christian Urrutia, a Democratic candidate for Congress in New Hampshire's 1st District, said the incident quickly became a topic on the campaign trail.

"One of the things that people pointed out time and time again — they're all wearing masks, and impunity that came with it," Urrutia said.

He said the march motivated him to draft legislation, which he plans to file if elected, called the Neo-Nazi and Extremist Masking Accountability Act.

“If people use a mask and commit hate crimes, we should hold them accountable for that at higher levels, that means i

See Full Page