EDISON, N.J. — A decision by the Edison Township Council to prohibit flags, including the American flag, from being displayed during council meetings has sparked local controversy, with critics accusing both political parties of exploiting the issue for political gain.
The ban, described by council members as a measure to prevent the use of flags as “props” during meetings, has drawn sharp criticism from residents and activists who argue the policy disrespects the values represented by the American flag. A protest against the decision is planned for next week at Edison City Hall.
“Guys, these are not these are not real issues. The real issues are that what the American flag stands for has been trampled on by the democrats both in the White House and in drum flack it for too many years,” Spadea said. “Now too many Republicans were too weak to stand up to the trampling of our rights that that flag represents. ¿And now those sane cowards are going to go stand in the what? The Edison City Hall and go pick on a bunch of council members who did a stupid thing it seems by telling people they can’t bring the American flag in because it’s a prop.”
However, not everyone sees the flag ban as a pressing issue. Political commentator Bill Spadea criticized the outrage as misplaced, calling it “a distraction” from larger concerns, such as government overreach and erosion of civil liberties. “What the American flag stands for has been trampled on by the Democrats both in the White House and in New Jersey for too many years,” Spadea said during a segment. “Now those same cowards are going to go stand in Edison City Hall and pick on a bunch of council members who did a stupid thing.”
Spadea added that many of the individuals protesting the flag ban were silent on other major issues, such as pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. “These are not real issues,” he stated. “Focus on the rights that the flag represents, not on a council’s decision about meeting props.”
The Edison Council has now reportedly backed down from the ban, and the council president said his actions were in bad judgment.
Residents remain divided over whether the ban is an affront to patriotism or a minor procedural matter blown out of proportion.
“Yeah, it’s annoying and stupid, but it’s a distraction. So now you’re going to get these so called. You know, Patriot America first ERs to show up and rally. And these are the same people that were silent when you were locked down. Your kids were masked and jabbed and kept isolated for years,” Spadea said. “Same people that were silent. Now want to go and take credit for for championing somebody bringing an American flag into to a board meeting stupid. Not real issues. Focus. Focus.”
The controversy underscores the growing tensions over symbolic acts and their significance in local and national politics.