In a scene that has quickly gone viral, Edison, New Jersey, found itself at the center of controversy when its town council removed a resident from a meeting for using the American flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution as “props.” The incident has drawn national attention, with critics questioning whether the council overstepped its authority in enforcing new decorum rules.
The resident in question, Joel Bassoff, a local attorney, attended the council meeting on November 25 to protest an ordinance that would restrict speaking times and ban the use of props during public comments. His actions, which included holding up the Constitution and an American flag, were deemed a violation of the proposed rules, leading Council President Nishith Patel to order his removal.
Bassoff’s remarks focused on the importance of public participation and constitutional rights, particularly the First Amendment, which guarantees the right to petition the government. Holding up the Constitution, he declared, “The council wants to slash the public’s speaking time because the comments often focus on wasteful spending, quality-of-life issues, or public safety concerns the administration has failed to address.”
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Bassoff also criticized the council for what he called an attempt to “gag” residents and symbolically tore up a copy of the proposed ordinance. He then raised an American flag, saying, “I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values. It’s my constitutional right to do this.”
Despite Bassoff’s assertion that his actions were protected under the Constitution, Patel cited council rules against props and declared him out of order. “He is in violation; he can be removed,” Patel said, instructing officers to eject Bassoff from the meeting. Bassoff refused to leave, asserting his right to remain as a quiet observer, but the council ultimately recessed the meeting for five minutes until he was escorted out.
The removal of Bassoff sparked immediate backlash from attendees. One resident, Maryann Hennessey, voiced her anger: “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. For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
Others criticized the council’s broader attempts to control public discourse. Sue Malone-Barber, a resident, labeled the new rules as “ludicrous, rude, and juvenile,” adding, “The council and mayor are hellbent on controlling the public. Residents won’t forget how they were made to feel.”
Fox News and other outlets quickly picked up the story, amplifying the criticism of the council. A video of the incident posted by the X account @EndWokeness garnered over 432,000 views within 24 hours. In the clip, Bassoff is seen calmly asserting his rights while being removed, a moment many have described as emblematic of government overreach.
Patel and other council members defended their actions, arguing that the restrictions were necessary to maintain order during meetings. Recent gatherings have reportedly devolved into chaos, with disruptions ranging from long-winded tirades to attendees wearing costumes, including Guy Fawkes masks and a full wrestler’s outfit. One individual reportedly dressed as a giant cannabis bong cradling a baby doll.
Patel stated that the new rules were aimed at curbing such disruptions. “Any props will be considered not conducive to good order, and as the president, I am making that call,” he said during the meeting.
The ordinance banning props does not explicitly mention the flag or Constitution, but Patel insisted that such items fall under the rule’s scope. He also emphasized that the council’s intent was not to stifle free speech but to ensure meetings remained productive.
The incident has raised broader questions about the balance between maintaining order and protecting citizens’ rights. Critics argue that the council’s actions set a dangerous precedent for limiting free expression in public forums. Bassoff himself warned the council of potential legal consequences, stating, “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.”
Supporters of the council’s actions counter that the rules are necessary to prevent meetings from becoming unmanageable. “There are cranks and curmudgeons who show up to these meetings,” one observer noted, adding that some disruptions border on theatrical.
The council’s decision to remove Bassoff has unintentionally thrust Edison into the national spotlight, with many questioning the wisdom of targeting a lawyer using the Constitution and flag to make his point. The visual symbolism of the incident—an American citizen holding the nation’s founding document and its flag while being escorted out—has only fueled outrage.
For now, Edison’s council faces a difficult task in regaining public trust. As Malone-Barber put it, “Residents won’t forget how they were made to feel and how things were handled. Flags, really a prop? You going to throw me out?”
In an era where local government meetings often fly under the radar, Edison’s council may have inadvertently become a cautionary tale for how not to handle public dissent.
