A New Jersey township council is being called ‘shameful’ after they banned “props” from meetings, which includes the United States Constitution and the American Flag.
The ban on props was put in place by the Edison Municipal Council whose goal was to establish proper decorum for any members who wish to address the council during hearings open to the public. The council does not want members of the community to bring or use props when they speak, and not even a copy of the consitution or an American flag are allowed.
A report on KVAL shows that anyone using a prop will be subject to discipline for being an “impediment to the orderly conduct.” The KVAL report also relayed information from a local named Joel Bassoff. Joel brought a copy of the Constitution to hold up while giving a public comment.
Joel said, “The U.S. Constitution gives the public the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances… Every member of the council took a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution… I’m holding up this Constitution to emphasize —” and he was cut off by council president Nishith Patel, who said the Consitution would be considered a prop, and warned Bassoff about it.
Bassoff didn’t backoff. He replied that he’s not putting down the Constitution and suggested the council president not interrupt him during his mere 4 minutes of speaking time. KVAL’s report talked about the escalation, as police surrounded the man standing his ground and refusing to put down the Constitution:
It’s my constitutional right,” Bassoff said. “If you get sued, you will lose. My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent council because you are wrong.”
“Your time should be forfeited,” he told Patel. “Your position should be forfeited. By your actions, you forfeited every right to preside over this meeting.”Bassoff then claimed he was “about to get surrounded” by police officers, with the council motioning for a recess moments later. The resident was ultimately escorted out of the meeting, according to footage shared online.
Here’s a video where the man is warned when he’s holding up the flag:
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