NJ town apologizes for American flag ban, but residents call it "nonsense."

The American flag ban at public town meetings in Edison, New Jersey has sparked a national debate, with residents pushing back against the township council.

On Monday, Joel Bassoff, an Edison resident and attorney, was removed from a town council meeting for holding a small American flag in protest of a new rule that bans such items, including the U.S. Constitution and other "props" from the public comment portion of town meetings.

The new rule was promptly rejected by residents during a five-hour meeting on Nov. 25, as they argued that it violated their First Amendment rights and was an unjustified attempt to assert power from the dais.

At the meeting, Joe Romano, the vice president of the Edison Board of Education, stated that the room was "stunned" when Council President Nishith Patel ordered police to remove Bassoff from the chamber for merely holding the American flag.

"Being elected to a position does not necessarily mean that one knows better or that it's a power trip," Romano stated. "As council president, it's important to represent all the people, not just half of them."

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is considering taking legal action against the town council of Edison, NJ, to protect Joel's First Amendment rights and the rights of every citizen of Edison, NJ.

FIRE will provide an update on Edison Township in a brief period.

Patel apologized for the confusion caused by his decision on the flag ban after being questioned about a potential lawsuit by Planet Chronicle Digital.

""I want to make it clear that the Edison Council will never prohibit the display of the American flag in our public meetings. Our council proudly and respectfully begins each meeting with the pledge of allegiance to our nation's and state's flags," Patel wrote."

The council never intended to ban the American flag, as it is not mentioned in the official ordinance.

"I apologize if any of my remarks during the previous council meeting suggested that."

In a statement on Instagram, Mayor Sam Joshi addressed the backlash and stated that the nation's flag would never be banned in the municipal complex.

Joshi stated that he had spoken to the council president about the confusion surrounding the recently passed decorum ordinance and that the president had apologized and issued an official statement.

The flag ban was met with opposition from Bassoff and other residents, who engaged in heated debates with the town council president.

Russ Azarello, a landscaper who carried several small American flags, told the council that he couldn't understand how someone holding the Constitution or flag could disrupt the meeting.

According to footage of the exchange, Patel immediately warned Azarello to put the flags away, stating that they were props and against the rules if he continued holding them.

Azarello retorted, "This is my expression of freedom of speech. If it offends someone, they're in the wrong country." He explained that he comes from a family of service members and has three folded flags in his home.

Edison township attorney Michael R. Burns swiftly defended Patel.

Holding onto something in your hand, such as a flag, can be disruptive and distracting, according to him. He advised Azarello that waving a flag around to create a scene was the issue. If Azarello wanted to stand there and read from the Constitution, that was fine. However, bringing in tiny American flags to wave around was considered a prop, and they were asked not to use it.

Azarello stated that he does not accept Patel's apology after being contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital.

"From the beginning, it was clear that there was no confusion and only ill intent," he stated.

Councilman Richard Brescher, who was one of two council members to vote against the ordinance, criticized Patel's apology as insincere.

"Brescher told Planet Chronicle Digital that the ordinance was "un-American and unconstitutional," adding, "That's what I call B.S.""

""Our town, like many others in this country, faces challenges with elected officials attempting to suppress the public, and they went too far by referring to the flag as a prop," he stated."

While Patel and the mayor issued apologies, the ordinance remains in effect.

"Brescher accused Patel of being in Joshi's "pocket" and stated that if Patel truly did not mean what he said in the video, he should repeal it. This behavior is typical of the mayor and his four councilmen."

"In Edison, they consistently try to suppress public speech by claiming it was a mistake, but they don't repeal the law, which remains illegal."

The mayor is accused of trying to "take away transparency" from his community, which has led to chaotic council meetings, according to Brescher.

"All residents share the sentiment that they do not want to hear discourse, do not want to hear from the public, and do not want anyone saying they're not doing a good job."

Mayor Joshi did not respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's request for comment.

Romano concurred with Brescher's request to rescind the new regulation. He contended that despite its intention to maintain order in tumultuous council sessions, it has instead incited animosity among the members.

"Now, individuals attend council meetings to confront council members," he stated.

The ordinance O.2239-2024 was enacted to restore order at township council meetings that have become a source of ridicule due to their recent chaotic nature. In October, a man dressed as a Bong was ejected from the podium after appearing in full costume. Several individuals have attended meetings in elaborate outfits or face masks. One resident characterized recent council sessions as a "three-ring circus," with Patel presiding.

In a previous town council meeting, Patel stated that any props, including the American flag and U.S. Constitution, would not be allowed as they were not conducive to good order, and as the president, he had the final say.

Patel stated during the Nov. 25 meeting that rules are necessary to guide the meeting, as there could be chaos without them.