City councils, especially those run by Democrats, often wield their authority like medieval fiefdoms. They flex power far beyond what most Americans would expect.

These groups may seem like glorified bureaucrats, but they control rules that directly impact the lives of free citizens. And lately, they’ve taken a turn for the worse.

City councils are passing rules that stifle public discourse, restrict residents’ rights, and punish those who dare to question their authority.

Take the Township of Edison, New Jersey. Its city council recently passed a series of Orwellian rules that blatantly restrict residents’ ability to speak.

The new ordinance cuts down the time citizens have to address the council and bans so-called “props” during public comments.

Yes, this includes the American flag and even the Constitution. Naturally, locals weren’t having it.

From Fox News:
A New Jersey resident was escorted out of a town council meeting for waving an American flag in protest of a new rule that bans such items, including the U.S. Constitution and other “props” from the public comment portion of town meetings…

“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,” resident Maryann Hennessey told council members. “For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”

American Flags Now Forbidden?

One particularly shocking incident at the meeting involved local lawyer Joel Bassoff, who was escorted out of the room by police. His crime? Holding a small American flag while addressing the council.

Bassoff used the flag as a symbol of constitutional values and warned council members that their actions could result in legal consequences.

“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff declared, as Council President Nishith Patel hammered his gavel in protest.

Bassoff argued that the ordinance was unconstitutional, telling council members they were infringing on his First Amendment rights. “If you get sued, you will lose,” he said, earning applause from other residents.

But rather than listen to his concerns, Patel ordered police to remove him from the room, declaring his time forfeited. The audience erupted in anger, shouting “Shame on you!” as Bassoff left.

A Rule to Silence the People

The ordinance, O.2239-2024, was ostensibly passed to maintain “decorum” at township council meetings, which council members claimed had devolved into chaos.

Sure, past meetings have had their share of colorful moments, including one man showing up in a bong costume. But instead of addressing specific disruptions, the council decided to blanket-ban all “props,” even symbolic items like flags and the Constitution.

Patel, who spearheaded the ordinance, argued that props of any kind are “not conducive to good order.”

When asked directly about the flag and the Constitution, he claimed it was within his authority to ban them under the guise of maintaining order. Residents weren’t buying it.

“To consider the American flag and the Constitution a prop is an insult to what the flag stands for,” resident Maryann Hennessey said. She called the new rule “disgusting” and demanded the council rethink its approach.

Governor Abbott’s Style of Governance?

This situation in New Jersey stands in stark contrast to how conservative leaders like Texas Governor Greg Abbott handle public dissent.

While Democrats in places like Edison suppress free expression, Abbott pushes for transparency and accountability. In Texas, local governments attempting to sidestep state laws often find themselves on the receiving end of Abbott’s stern rebukes.

This isn’t just about a council meeting in New Jersey. It’s about a disturbing trend among local governments, particularly in Democrat-led areas, to curtail the freedoms of their citizens.

The people of Edison pushed back hard against these rules, but the fact that such an ordinance was passed at all shows just how far some politicians are willing to go to consolidate power.

And let’s not forget the hypocrisy. These are the same people who rail against Republicans for “threatening democracy.” Yet when faced with dissent, they clamp down harder than a medieval king.

If holding an American flag is now a punishable offense at a public meeting, one has to wonder how far the government will go to silence their constituents.

Key Takeaways:

• Edison, NJ’s city council passed a rule banning “props” at meetings, including American flags and the Constitution.
• Residents pushed back hard, with one being removed by police for holding an American flag during his speech.
• This reflects a troubling trend of local governments using their power to stifle free speech under the guise of maintaining order.

Source: Fox News