Town Apologizes Over Decision

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when we start talking about banning props at public meetings—especially when one of those "props" is an American flag.

That’s the controversy swirling around Edison, New Jersey, after a town council decorum ordinance sparked outrage among residents and led to some high-profile apologies.

Here’s what went down: Edison resident Joel Bassoff brought an American flag to a council meeting on November 25 to protest the new ordinance. What happened next? Police escorted him out, sparking an uproar.

The ordinance in question prohibits the use of "props" during the public comment period, a category that, according to reports, could include items like the flag—or even the U.S. Constitution. Yes, you read that right.

The town council insists that this was all just a big misunderstanding. Council President Nishith Patel went on record saying, “The Edison Council has never, nor will we ever, ban the American flag from our public meetings.”

Patel pointed out that the U.S. and state flags are displayed prominently in the council chambers and that every meeting begins with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Still, residents weren’t buying it. Hours of public commentary at the November 25 meeting reflected widespread opposition to the ordinance, with critics calling it "un-American" and "unconstitutional." Councilman Richard Brescher didn’t hold back, calling the rule "B.S." and expressing concerns about its implications for free speech.

The backlash prompted Edison Mayor Sam Joshi to step in with an Instagram post defending the flag and reassuring residents that neither the flag nor its principles are at risk. He emphasized that the ordinance was misunderstood and noted that Patel had issued a formal apology for the confusion. But as it stands, the controversy hasn’t completely died down.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression is now considering legal action to defend Joel Bassoff’s First Amendment rights.