New Jersey’s Edison. Police officers pulled a well-known community lawyer from a town hall meeting in New Jersey for flying an American flag.
When police escorted out a man carrying a little American flag after local officials ordered him to take it down, tensions erupted during this week’s Edison Town Hall meeting. Political leaders and people of the community have harshly criticized the act, which caused a commotion among the throng.
The town’s rule prohibiting the use of props during public speech, including American flags, the Bible, and even the Constitution, was the reason for the protest.
Joel Bassoff, a local attorney, started the altercation when he raised the flag during the meeting’s public comment period. In response, Council President Nishith Patel threatened to remove the guy if he failed to put the flag away. Patel banged his gavel and stated, “I’m going to give you a warning; if you continue, you’ll have to forfeit your time.”
Two municipal police officers surrounded the man and led him out of the chamber when he refused to cooperate. As he left, the audience gave the man an ovation, but he was not allowed to complete his speech. Following the incident, the meeting was adjourned for five minutes.
The Edison Reporter claims that in October, in protest of Council President Nishith Patel’s ban on needless face coverings during public speaking, several people covered their faces with Mexican wrestler masks and Anonymous masks, while one man showed up at a meeting dressed as a bong.
Police officers on the scene refused to comment on the ejection, and council members failed to give a clear explanation for the prohibition on flag display. Critics claim the council is stifling free speech, sparking fury over the measure.
In a furious social media response, former congressional candidate Mike Crispi accused the council of outlawing American flags. Crispi declared, “I DEMAND Edison is defunded from receiving any state aid until this garbage is overturned.” He also stated that he intends to demonstrate at a future meeting by bringing 1,000 American flags.
Democrats in Edison, New Jersey have prohibited the American flag, the U.S. Constitution, and other props from their council meetings, and the NJ GOP is urging a protest at the May meeting. The following meeting is scheduled on December 11 at 7:00 p.m. There, we hope to see you! on X.
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