Chicago December 3, 2024
A New Jersey man was removed from a town council meeting for protesting a new rule that bans items like the American flag and the U.S. Constitution during public comments. The Township of Edison, NJ recently passed an ordinance limiting how long residents can speak at council meetings and forbidding the use of “props,” including flags, during comments.
On November 25, during a five-hour council meeting, residents criticized the new rule, saying it violated their First Amendment rights. One of them, Joel Bassoff, a lawyer from Edison, waved a small American flag while speaking.
He warned the council that they could face legal consequences for restricting speech in this way.In a video of the meeting, Council President Nishith Patel is heard warning Bassoff, then calling for a five-minute recess. Police officers then escorted Bassoff out of the meeting.
The new rule, Ordinance O.2239-2024, aims to restore order to council meetings, which have recently become chaotic. In October, a man dressed as a bong was removed after speaking in costume. One resident described the meetings as a “three-ring circus.” Despite the controversy, the council voted to pass the rule, which aims to prevent disruptions and maintain a more respectful environment during public comments.
