National outrage prompts New Jersey town to issue ‘humble apology’ for American flag ban, but residents say it’s ‘BS’

Edison, New Jersey, has been thrust into the national spotlight as residents violently defy the local council for banning the American flag at public town meetings.

On Monday, Fox News Digital reported that Joel Bassoff, an Edison resident and attorney, was removed from a city council meeting by police for making a small talk American flag in protest a new rule banning such items, including the U.S. Constitution and other “props,” from the public comment portion of town meetings.

Residents immediately rejected the new rule, arguing during a five-hour meeting on Nov. 25 that it was a violation of their First Amendment rights and a “disgusting” attempt to exert unwarranted power from the podium.

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Joel Bassoff speaks at the Nov. 25 Edison City Council meeting.

Edison Board of Education Vice President Joe Romano, who spoke against the ordinance at the meeting, told Fox News Digital that the room was “shocked” when Board President Nishith Patel ordered police to remove Bassoff from the room , just because he had held the American flag.

“People get elected, and they think I know better because I was elected, and to be quite honest, it’s a power trip,” Romano said of the council president. “I’m sorry. That’s the way it is. You should be there to represent the people. All people. Not half, but all of them.”

The new ordinance caught the attention of free speech advocacy group the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), which told Fox News Digital it was considering taking legal action against the city council “to protect Joel’s First Amendment rights.” – and the rights of every citizen of Edison, New Jersey.”

“Edison Township can expect to hear from FIRE shortly,” the organization said.

When asked by Fox News Digital about the possible lawsuit, Patel appeared to walk back his decision to ban the flag and apologized for the “confusion” in an impact statement.

“Let me be clear: The Edison Council has never banned the American flag from our public gatherings and we never will,” Patel wrote. “Our nation’s and our state’s flags are both prominently displayed in our council chambers. We proudly and humbly begin each council meeting by pledging allegiance to our flag….”

“It was never the intention of this council to ban the American flag,” he continued, emphasizing that the American flag is not mentioned in the official ordinance.

“If any of my comments during the last council meeting implied this, I apologize.”

JERSEY CITY, NJ – JUNE 20: American flags flutter in the wind at Flag Plaza at Liberty State Park as the sun sets on the summer solstice on June 20, 2024 in Jersey City, New Jersey. ((Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images))

Mayor Sam Joshi also addressed the backlash in a statement on Instagram, writing, “Our country’s flag has never been banned and will never be banned in our municipal complex…”

“I spoke to the council chairman on this matter and he humbly apologized and gave his official explanation for the confusion surrounding the recently passed decency ordinance,” Joshi said.

While word of Bassoff’s interaction with the City Council quickly spread, he was not the only resident to protest the flag ban in contentious exchanges with the City Council President that evening.

Landscaper Russ Azarello, who took to the podium with several small American flags like Bassoff’s, told the council that he “simply cannot understand how someone holding the Constitution or the flag would disrupt the meeting.” “

Patel immediately told him to put the flags away, according to footage of the exchange. “I have to warn you that these are props and these are against – if you continue to hold them…” he said as Azarello spoke over him.

“How does this disrupt the flow of the meeting?” Azarello shot back. “Holding this is my expression of freedom of speech. “If this is offensive to someone, then you are in the wrong country.” He explained that he comes from a military family and has three folded flags in his house.

Police escort Joel Bassoff out of the chamber because he was holding an American flag.

Michael R. Burns, Edison Township attorney, quickly came to Patel’s aid.

“Just holding something in your hand, holding the flag, it can be distracting, it can be distracting…,” he told Azarello. “Showing up and swinging around to make a scene… is the problem. You want to stand there and read from the Constitution? Have it. But the deliberate gamesmanship of bringing tiny American flags to wave around…everything.” “One of those is considered a prop and you are asked not to use it,” he said.

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When contacted by Fox News Digital, Azarello said he didn’t buy Patel’s apology.

“There was no confusion. It was ill-intentioned from the start,” he said.

Councilman Richard Brescher, who was one of two council members to vote against the ordinance, also called Patel’s apology disingenuous.

“I call that nonsense,” Brescher told Fox News Digital, criticizing the regulation as “un-American and unconstitutional.”“

“Many cities across this country have problems with elected officials trying to silence the public, and ours is no different,” he added. “They went too far by calling the flag a prop.”

Brescher said Patel and the mayor apologized, but the ordinance was not repealed.

“If you really meant that you didn’t mean what you said in the video we all saw, then pick it up. This is typical of my mayor and his four city councilors,” Brescher added, accusing Patel of being in Joshi’s “pocket.” “

“You lie. They tell you it was a mistake but they don’t repeal the law so it will still be illegal in Edison…that’s what they’ve done consistently here just trying to keep the public from talking and to give speeches,” which they are legally allowed to say because we live in one of the freest countries in the world.

Brescher said council meetings have become chaotic because residents are fed up with the mayor, who has been accused of trying to “take away transparency” from his community.

“He doesn’t want to hear any discussions. He doesn’t want to hear from the public. He doesn’t want to hear anyone say he’s not doing a good job… all the residents feel the same way.”

Mayor Joshi did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Romano reiterated Brescher’s call for the council to repeal the new ordinance. He argued that while it was originally introduced to restore decorum at riot-plagued council meetings, it had only increased hostility in the chamber.

“They’ve gotten to the point where people are going to council meetings and pissing off council members,” he said.

Ordinance O.2239-2024 was enacted to maintain decorum at municipal council meetings that recently descended into chaos and became the subject of ridicule. In October, a man dressed as Bong was removed after taking the podium in full costume. Others have shown up wearing full-face masks or elaborate outfits. One resident described recent council meetings as “a three-ring circus” with Patel at the helm.

The ordinance does not specifically ban the American flag or the U.S. Constitution, but when asked about the issue at a previous City Council meeting, Patel told residents, “All props are viewed as not conducive to good order, and as president I do.” this.” this call.”

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“These are rules that serve as a guide for the meeting. We could have no rules, but then there would be chaos,” Patel said when pressed about the ordinance during the Nov. 25 meeting.