Edison Bans American Flag, Constitution, 'Props' From Council Meeting

EDISON, NJ – Edison recently adopted an ordinance that bans the American flag, the Constitution, and other “props” from Council meetings. Members also adopted an ordinance that limits public speaking time from six to four minutes, with no time for rebuttal.

Under the new ordinance, the council sets rules of decorum, which prevents residents from using “props” during meetings.

During the heated Council meeting, a resident was ejected from the meeting for holding up the American flag.

Joel Bassoff said the Council was slashing the public speaking time as residents would speak about issues that the Mayor and administration failed to address.

“If members of the public were coming here and praising the Mayor for six minutes, I guarantee you, you would not be slashing our speaking time,” Bassoff said.

“But usually when members of the public make the time and effort to come to a council meeting it’s because we have concern or complaint about wasteful spending or because there’s a quality of life issue or public safety issue that the mayor and his administration failed to address.”

Bassoff then objected to the Council’s attempt to “gag” the public, tearing up a copy of the ordinance. He argued that the U.S. Constitution gave people the right to petition the government to address grievances and that every member of the council swore an oath to uphold the Constitution.

When Bassoff held up a copy of the Constitution in his hand, he was told by Council President Nishith Patel that he was in violation of council rule as he was using the Constitution as a prop.

“As you have continued to use the Constitution as a prop, as I’ve warned you, your time is forfeit,” Patel told Bassoff.

The Police then prevented Bassoff from speaking further.

Councilman Richard Brescher then asked Patel if the ordinance was not passed, how was Bassoff breaking the law. Patel responded by saying that as Council president he is allowed to implement rules, one of which includes using the U.S. Constitution as a prop.

“The ordinance that we are going to pass is just going to codify those rules in writing,” Patel said.

Councilman Ajay Patil too agreed with Brescher.

Former Councilwoman Joyce Ship Freeman said she was “highly offended” that the Constitution of America “was treated in that manner.”

“If you want to make all the rules, and dictate it the way you want it to, and you have other people supporting it, I have a problem with that,” Ship Freeman said.

“It’s an embarrassment throughout the whole state that we do not believe in the constitution and we do not believe in the American flag.”

When Bassoff came back to speak about the ordinance banning props, he held up an American Flag and was ejected from the meeting by officers.

Resident Sue Malone Barber said she was upset with the way some members of the public were treated and was appalled at the Council’s attempt to control the public when only a few people cause disruptions during meetings.

"Who cares if someone is dressed as a bong, who cares if someone wears a mask, who cares if someone holds up a flag, who cares if someone holds up the Constitution - give them their four minutes, and let's move on," Malone Barber said.

"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."

The ordinance does not explicitly ban the American flag or the Constitution, but Patel told residents that when a flag or the Constitution is used "performatively" it can be considered a prop.

The township attorney said residents could read from the Constitution, but the "deliberate gamesmanship of bringing in tiny American flags and Constitutions to wave around" was prohibited.

"I know not everyone agrees with these rules, and that's your right," Patel said. "But our mission is to govern together, not to create division. My role is to maintain decorum so that this chamber remains a space for respectful dialogue and collaboration."

Councilmen Brescher and Patil voted against the ordinance.

"This is something I will never ever support," Patil said, "All true patriotic Americans will never ever consider the American flag as a prop."

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com