The New Jersey City Council bans the use of flags as props slammed by civic groups

🔺The city council’s ban on props sparks criticism
🔺Civil rights groups oppose restrictions
🔺Dissenting council member calls ban “terrible”

EDISON – The council has faced sharp criticism from civil rights groups for recently banning public speakers from using props that include copies of the U.S. Constitution and American flags.

A Nov. 25 meeting was attended by at least two men holding small flags at the podium – after which the first was escorted from the room.

Video of the meeting – posted on YouTube by New Brunswick Today – went viral and sparked a response from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.

“No American should be excluded from a city council meeting for displaying the American flag or the U.S. Constitution. Joel brought a small flag to protest the council’s upcoming directive banning “props.” Holding a small flag doesn’t disrupt a meeting – it reinforces the speaker’s message. Instead of abandoning the Constitution, the City Council should abandon these unreasonable policies that threaten the rights of the people of Edison,” said Stephanie Jablonsky, senior program officer for public advocacy at FIRE and a former New Jersey resident.

The FIRE group said the community can expect to hear from them shortly.

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey also criticized the regulation.

“Public council meetings are fundamental to our democracy and provide a forum for community members to express their views and seek accountability from elected officials who are required to listen to the viewpoints of all residents.” Dissenting statements are authorized by the state and Protected by federal constitutions, the Edison Township Council’s decision to restrict public expression undermines democratic values ​​and wastes public resources,” said Jeanne LoCicero, Legal Director ACLU-NJ, in a written statement to New Jersey 101.5.

“The regulation risks legal liability because it is overly broad and vague and its enforcement is subject to the whims of the President of the Council. We urge the council to immediately lift its recent ban on props and costumes and instead strengthen opportunities for community members to participate in public gatherings,” LoCicero added.

The ban on speech paraphernalia on grounds of “decency” was enacted by Democratic Edison Township Council President Nishith Patel, although fellow Democratic council members Richard Brescher and Ajay Patil disagreed.

“I think it’s laws like this that people up here are voting on that are actually destroying our country – or our party – or both parties,” Brescher said at the Nov. 25 meeting.

He said the idea of ​​the American flag as a prop was “terrible.”

Patil held a flag from the council dais as he also spoke against the ordinance, saying it seemed to defeat their purpose as elected officials.

Council Vice President Margot Harris, who was unable to attend the Nov. 25 meeting, also expressed strong opposition to the ordinance.

An hour-long video from New Brunswick Today via YouTube focuses on the decency ordinance as discussed at the November meeting:

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