This is exactly why Trump got re-elected.
A recent incident at a town council meeting in Edison, New Jersey, has sparked outrage among local residents and raised serious concerns about the erosion of free speech rights in America. A New Jersey resident was forcibly removed after he waved the American flag in protest of a new ordinance that bans “props” – including the flag and even the U.S. Constitution – during public comment at town meetings.
On November 25, the Township of Edison passed an ordinance aimed at limiting the time residents have to speak at town council meetings and prohibiting the use of “props” during public comments. These “props” were defined to include items like the American flag and the U.S. Constitution, both of which are symbols of freedom and democracy. The ordinance was introduced in response to disruptions at previous meetings, including a bizarre incident where a man dressed as a bong was removed for making a spectacle of the proceedings.
During the heated meeting, residents voiced their frustration with the new rule, arguing that it violates their First Amendment rights. One vocal critic, Maryann Hennessey, sharply criticized the idea of banning the American flag, calling it an “insult” to everything the flag represents. “To think the U.S. flag and the Constitution are merely a prop when someone waves it is offensive to what the flag represents,” Hennessey told the council. “For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
Joel Bassoff, an Edison resident and lawyer, took a stand by holding up a small American flag while speaking, warning the council that they could face legal action for infringing on residents’ rights. “It’s my constitutional right to do this,” Bassoff declared, stressing that the flag was a representation of the values enshrined in the Constitution. His bold stance earned cheers from the crowd but also an official warning from Council President Nishith Patel, who threatened to have him removed for disrupting the meeting.
As tensions escalated, Bassoff was indeed escorted out by police after Patel ordered his removal. While some council members argued the rule was necessary to maintain order, many residents saw it as an overreach that stifled free expression. The use of the American flag and other symbols of the nation’s heritage should never be treated as “props” or threats to decorum.
Critics of the ordinance argue that it represents a dangerous precedent where government officials can dictate what forms of speech and protest are acceptable. The American flag, a symbol of our nation’s values and freedoms, should never be treated as a disruptive prop, and residents should have the right to express their concerns without fear of censorship. As this controversy unfolds, it raises critical questions about the balance between maintaining order and upholding the fundamental rights of the people.
WATCH:
BREAKING: Edison, NJ Town Council bans American flags at meetings.
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) December 2, 2024
An angry resident protests by waving his American flag. Security removes him. pic.twitter.com/UJOhXVAuDE