In an attempt to better control the time residents have to address the Edison, New Jersey, township council, new rules were enacted banning the use of the American flag as a “prop” while speaking.
“The American flag, Constitution, and other ‘props’ are no longer allowed to be used during the public portion of Township Council meetings under a new ordinance that also limits the time residents have to address the governing body,” My Central Jersey reported.
Individuals are limited to four minutes to comment on matters, and the new rules eliminated rebuttal comments while establishing rules for decorum, according to the news outlet. Other rules ban offensive or abusive language, engaging in disruptive behavior, and wearing costumes while addressing the council.
But residents pushed back at last week’s council meeting. Joel Bassoff alleged that the council is looking to limit criticism of wasteful spending and its failure to address important issues affecting the community.
While addressing the council in the video below, Bassoff held up an American flag and was quickly told by Council President Nishith Patel that he had forfeited his time because he was in violation of the new rules. After persisting, Bassoff was then removed from the meeting.
(Video Credit: New Brunswick Today)
“To consider the American flag and the Constitution a prop when someone raises it is an insult to what the flag is, what the flag stands for, and what this country is,” resident Maryann Hennessey said. “For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
Resident Sue Malone-Barber said the council and mayor are “hellbent” on controlling the public and that the council meetings have become “a three-ring circus.”
Insisting that the council’s actions are “ludicrous, rude and juvenile,” Malone-Barber added, “Residents won’t forget how they were made to feel and how things were handled. Flags, really a prop, you going to throw me out?”
“It’s juvenile to fight this war, you’re losing. It’s just making people more agitated, more determined to do something to provoke getting thrown out,” she added. “Let it go. It’s a waste of taxpayer time.”
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Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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