A New Jersey town erupted in anger after its municipal council banned ‘props’ – including the American flag – in public meetings and proceeded to toss out a man for waving one in protest.
Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ushered out of last Monday’s Edison Township Council meeting by police, all because he was armed with the star-spangled banner.
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The same ordinance that banned props also prohibited non-medical masks and costumes. It was reportedly done to cut down on interruptions and keep meetings running smoothly and with decorum.
In his speech to the seven-member council, Bassoff argued the ordinance violates the right to free speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
‘The public knows why you’re trying to ban masks, costumes and props even though its unconstitutional,’ Bassoff said. ‘At previous meetings, members of the public mocked the council by showing up with masks, costumes and props.’
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Bassoff also warned them that ‘if you get sued, you will lose.’
The council members sat through all of this mostly without incident, only interrupting Bassoff once.
But when he finally held up the American flag he had been concealing behind the lectern, that was when Council President Nishith Patel cracked down.
‘To illustrate why this ordinance 2239 is wrong, I’m holding up an American flag—’
‘I’m going to have to give you a warning,’ Patel talked over Bassoff.
As Patel threatened to have him removed from the meeting, Bassoff once again urged the council to rethink banning props.
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Soon after this, two police officers approached him as the council president continually asked for him to be removed from the chambers.
One resident was heard shouting, ‘Shame on you,’ as Bassoff voluntarily walked away from the lectern.
Bassoff tried to take his seat again but was ultimately removed by police.
Earlier in the meeting, Bassoff also held up a Constitution, something Patel said qualified as a prop.
‘This is going to be served as a prop as last discussed in the last meeting,’ Patel interjected. ‘If you use it as a prop, the Constitution, then we will take this as a warning that if you continue—’
‘I’m sorry, I’m not putting down the US Constitution,’ Bassoff fired back. ‘This is my time, you’re interrupting me.’
Patel repeatedly pounded his gavel and called for Bassoff to sit back down.
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One resident was also heard saying about Patel: ‘Kick him out!’
The ordinance doesn’t specifically ban Constitutions or American flags, but Patel told residents that these items would be ‘considered not conducive to good order,’ the New York Post reported.
* Original Article:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14154037/amp/fury-new-jersey-town-ban-american-flag-public-meetings.html?ito=smartnews