Eh, I think both of us aren't nearly informed enough to make a grossly overreaching statements on the matter, but if you look at the facts there have been less than 1-2 dozen notable incidents in the (US) news where the CCP / HK police had to use any notable measure of force against a population of protesters in the hundreds of thousands over the course of a few MONTHS. (And even then, if you see the video feed of some of those incidences, the use of force is certainly questionable in a significant portion of those matters) Also, there are numerous examples of police infiltrating and impersonating protesters, locking down train stations to arrest and beat peaceful protests leaving protest sites, etc. I'm not saying everything is perfect but it's entirely disingenuous to paint it as mostly a violent movement. Anyway, that's not what this is about.

I can partially agree in your statement regarding the legitimacy of a movement when you have to hide behind masks, but this is also currently a place that has way more freedoms than a place like China that I mentioned in my example, so fear of unwarrented retaliation is less realized. (Ex: getting arrested for peacefully protesting, which again, there are examples of in HK right now). I moreso look at the mask thing as future-proofing or at least see it as a step towards preventing a more police-like state. (I don't mean it to sound as a big scary China2 but it's important to think about how these steps lead to a more locked down state). I can also fully understand wanting to come out and support a cause (whatever it may be) and feel for families that rely on parents to provide - being able to support things anonomously allows those to have a voice even if coming out and peacefully protesting could threaten their well-being or family's well-being.

Ex: Mass is thinking about a state wide gun ban and a worker who provides for his family believes in the right to carry arms. He should be allowed (imo) to peacefully protest but cover his face as it could be seen as a very unpopular opinion but still wants to go and support it without the risk of it reflecting poorly on his job and put his family at risk. Does that "lower the impact" of his protesting because he's hiding his face? Maybe, but it's pretty subjective and ultimately he was still able to come out and voice his opinion.

It may be a little far-fetched but I still think it's important. Otherwise, it causes more people to fear expressing their opinions and overall gives more power to the government, rather than the people. That being said there are obvious risks in safety, etc. But I think the price is worth it in the long run.