NJ lawyer thrown out of town council meeting for waving American flag to protest new ban

A New Jersey lawyer was tossed out of a town council meeting by cops last week for waving an American flag to protest a “stupid” new rule that bans so-called “props” from being used during the meetings.

Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ordered to be removed from the Edison Township Council meeting after he pulled out the star-spangled banner while addressing council members on Nov. 25, footage obtained by New Brunswick Today shows.

Bassoff was among the slew of furious locals who were voicing their objections over the township’s new ordinance that prohibits them from using any props — including the flag and even the US Constitution — during the public comment section of town meetings.

“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff said during the meeting as Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel to give him an official warning.

“It’s my constitutional right to do this,” the lawyer continued. “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.”

“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,” Bassoff raged as other residents cheered in support.

Seconds later, two cops approached Bassoff as the council president called for him to be removed from the chambers.

One resident could be heard shouting “Shame on you” as Bassoff agreed to step away from the podium.

After the lawyer tried to take his seat again, the council president ordered cops to toss him out altogether.

Earlier in the meeting, another resident was also removed from the proceedings after holding up the US Constitution.

“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,” another resident, Maryann Hennessey, told council members.

“For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”

The apparent prop ban, Ordinance 2239, was recently enacted in a bid to establish rules that maintain decorum at the township’s often raucous meetings.

While the rule doesn’t specifically ban the American flag or constitution, the council president argued to residents during the meeting that such items would be “considered not conducive to good order.” 

In addition to banning any props, the ordinance also now limits the amount of time residents have to address the body.