A New Jersey lawyer was tossed out of a city council assembly by cops final week for waving an American flag to protest a “stupid” new rule that bans so-called “props” from getting used through the conferences.
Joel Bassoff, a neighborhood resident and lawyer, was ordered to be faraway from the Edison Township Council assembly after he pulled out the star-spangled banner whereas addressing council members on Nov. 25, footage obtained by New Brunswick Right now exhibits.
Bassoff was among the many slew of livid locals who have been voicing their objections over the township’s new ordinance that prohibits them from utilizing any props — together with the flag and even the US Structure — through the public remark part of city conferences.
“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff stated through the assembly as Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel to present 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 different residents cheered in help.
Seconds later, two cops approached Bassoff because the council president referred to as for him to be faraway from the chambers.
One resident may very well be heard shouting “Shame on you” as Bassoff agreed to step away from the rostrum.
After the lawyer tried to take his seat once more, the council president ordered cops to toss him out altogether.
Earlier within the assembly, one other resident was additionally faraway from the proceedings after holding up the US Structure.
“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,” one other resident, Maryann Hennessey, advised council members.
“For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
The obvious prop ban, Ordinance 2239, was lately enacted in a bid to ascertain guidelines that preserve decorum on the township’s usually raucous conferences.
Whereas the rule doesn’t particularly ban the American flag or structure, the council president argued to residents through the assembly that such gadgets could be “considered not conducive to good order.”
Along with banning any props, the ordinance additionally now limits the period of time residents have to handle the physique.
