New Jersey residents spoke out at a town council meeting recently after they learned that the Edison Township Council had effectively “banned” the American flag and the Constitution in meetings because their Ordinance 2239-2024 prohibits the “the use of props.”
That’s right – The town got the memo that Old Glory is no longer welcome in municipal discussions because it’s a “prop” – and because apparently, patriotism clashes with the aesthetic of PowerPoint presentations and procedural squabbling.
The “logic” behind the anti-American lunacy.
Why this sudden distaste for the stars and stripes from the Edison Township Council? According to MyCentralJersey.com, officials claimed the move is about maintaining neutrality, a term that’s quickly becoming code for “let’s avoid offending anyone, even if it means offending everyone.”
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Neutrality on what exactly? It’s an American flag and we’re in America. Are they worried about offending Russians? North Koreans? The French?
Forget the generations who fought for that flag; in this council’s eyes, it’s just an optional accessory – like decorative throw pillows, but less useful.
Residents show up to complain.
Of course, the local residents didn’t exactly take this sitting down. Packed meetings, fiery speeches, and enough American flag apparel to stock a Fourth of July clearance rack were on full display.
An attorney who spoke up at the meeting about the town’s unconstitutional banning of the flag was removed after holding up a flag and waving it in the room according to video obtained by Fox News. He was subsequently escorted out of the room by two police officers. So apparently freedom of speech is banned too. Or at least, if the Democrats on the council get their way, it’s ALMOST banned because another one of their recent rules is to cut down public comment to four minutes per person.
Resident Maryann Hennessey said, “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.”
A lesson in civics, courtesy of the people.
It turns out, the council’s attempt to sideline patriotism has only reignited it. Residents are now doubling down on their love for the flag, with some calling for a vote to replace the entire council. Sounds like a great idea to me!
What’s next, banning apple pie?
If the council truly wants neutrality, perhaps they should also remove any state seals, municipal logos, or maybe tax collection offices. After all, those might upset someone too.
The American flag isn’t just a piece of cloth – it’s a symbol of everything that makes meetings like this one possible. Maybe it’s time for this council to sit through a civics refresher course – preferably one with a prominent display of Old Glory front and center.
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After what the Council did went viral across the country, Council President Nishith Patel tried to clean up their mess. He told Newsweek that Ordinance 2239-2024 was supposed to help government operate more efficiently and said in a December 3rd statement, “Let me be very clear, the Edison Council has never, nor will we ever, ban the American flag from our public meetings…It was never ever the intent of this council to ban the American flag. In fact, nowhere in the ordinance is there even a reference to our nation’s flag being banned. If any of my remarks during the previous council meeting implied that, I apologize.”
He went on to say, “The decorum ordinance that was passed was intended to prevent the chronic and chaotic disturbances that have found their way into our council chamber which at times prevent us from doing the important business of our township. Our residents deserve our undivided attention as we attempt to deal with the challenges we face together every day. Once again, I apologize.”
The Great Walk-Back of ’24: when patriotism outlasts bureaucracy.
Ah, the sweet sound of backpedaling! After the nation collectively clutched its pearls over this ordinance all across the fifty states, the council scrambled to rewrite their intent faster than you can say “oops.”
Council President Nishith Patel’s apology tour, complete with a “we didn’t mean it like that!” statement (yes, they did), is as transparent as a politician caught with their hand in the taxpayer cookie jar.
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