Why would protesters on the left wear masks?

[forgotmylogin]

62. Realistically...

If you're talking about bandanas tied around the bottom of the face, mouth, and nose, those could practically provide some protection from inhalants such as tear gas or smoke grenades, especially paired with goggles or protective eyewear.

I've seen interviews with protestors wearing a bandana around their neck, and that provides a quick way to cover their face while leaving the hands free. Even if you're not a violent protestor at a rally, it's probably a good idea to have this in case the wind changes and you wind up in the path of smoke or gas. I had friends who went to the Ferguson protests where they got stuck in the mild fallout from a cloud of tear gas when it was deployed further down the block.

I agree that a legit protest should not be anonymous, but having this around your neck and available in case of emergency makes sense.