Posted on 12/03/2024 9:45:57 AM PST by Twotone
The township council of Edison Township in New Jersey prohibited residents from using "props" when addressing the council, including the Constitution and the U.S. flag.
The Edison Municipal Township said the ban was meant to keep any props from becoming “an impediment to the orderly conduct.”
Residents, outraged about the ban, showed up at the council meeting on Nov. 25 to voice their opposition to the law, leading to a five-hour meeting. Many argued the prohibition was a violation of free speech and their constitutional rights.
"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," said resident Maryann Hennessey. "For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting."
Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel while issuing a warning to another resident who dared to defy the order by waving an American flag.
"It’s my constitutional right to do this," said attorney Joel Bassoff. "If you get sued, you will lose. My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent counsel because you are wrong."
Patel told officers to remove Bassoff even as many in the audience applauded for the attorney.
"You are interfering with the decorum of this meeting by interfering with the right to speech of a member of the public. And it should stop now," he said.
Council members voted for a five-minute recess in order to allow the officer to remove Bassoff.
Fox News Digital said Patel did not respond to its request for a comment about the story.
Illegal as hell. This is classic free speech 1st amendment stuff. A copy of the constitution in your hand, or a small flag is not an undue burden.
Does Patel not have a basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution?
“Council President Nishith Patel...”
Honestly, I feel kinda guilty that I noticed this...
“Council President Nishith Patel”
Another damned immigrant or anchor baby with zero connection to our founding principles.
Ok, I’ll ask. Does the city council have an American flag in the meeting room? It’s New Jersey, so the answer could vary.
Boy, Edison sure has changed since I was a kid.
Here we go again - ala - confederate names and statues....Different topic - same methodology...
Where do clowns like this come from? Don’t answer that!
Remember “With age comes wisdom. Sometimes wisdom comes alone.”
I believe I got that from a FReeper years ago.
To be clear here - the ban on the flag applies to using it as a prop when giving commentary to the board.
Edison is a doughnut, Metuchen is the hole.
Hold On New Jersey! Scott Pressler is on his way!
And God bless that young man!
Can we deport this dumbass Patel?
The global masters have brainwashed far too many to hate families, hate children, and hate their own country.
All by design and part of the plan to enslave everyone into a one world common religion, control population, and one world government.
Petty tyrants either appeal to “public order” or “public safety”. I’m just surprised they didn’t say someone might throw a copy of the Constitution, and hurt somebody.
But maybe that will come later.
Yes, but to also be clear, it is extremely stupid and counter productive to impose such a rule specifically mentioning the flag and the Constitution. What did Patel think was going to happen? Now all meetings will be disorderly until the rule is reversed.
> Council members voted for a five-minute recess in order to allow the officer to remove Bassoff. <
And that’s a huge problem right there. The cop should have refused that illegal and unconstitutional order. But like a little drone he obeyed.
Bondi needs to send this Patel guy and the entire board a cease and desist letter - or else!
More keywords:
'Rules based international order'
'Long established norms'
Hear. Hear!
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