New Jersey
NJ lawyer thrown out of town council meeting for waving American flag to protest new ban
A New Jersey lawyer was tossed out of a town council meeting by cops last week for waving an American flag to protest a “stupid” new rule that bans so-called “props” from being used during the meetings.
Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ordered to be removed from the Edison Township Council meeting after he pulled out the star-spangled banner while addressing council members on Nov. 25, footage obtained by New Brunswick Today shows.
Bassoff was among the slew of furious locals who were voicing their objections over the township’s new ordinance that prohibits them from using any props — including the flag and even the US Constitution — during the public comment section of town meetings.
“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff said during the meeting as Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel to give 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 other residents cheered in support.
Seconds later, two cops approached Bassoff as the council president called for him to be removed from the chambers.
One resident could be heard shouting “Shame on you” as Bassoff agreed to step away from the podium.
After the lawyer tried to take his seat again, the council president ordered cops to toss him out altogether.
Earlier in the meeting, another resident was also removed from the proceedings after holding up the US Constitution.
“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,” another resident, Maryann Hennessey, told council members.
“For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
The apparent prop ban, Ordinance 2239, was recently enacted in a bid to establish rules that maintain decorum at the township’s often raucous meetings.
While the rule doesn’t specifically ban the American flag or constitution, the council president argued to residents during the meeting that such items would be “considered not conducive to good order.”
In addition to banning any props, the ordinance also now limits the amount of time residents have to address the body.
From Camden and Cherry Hill to Trenton and the Jersey Shore, what about life in New Jersey do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know.
On Sunday, June 14, a bell will ring at the Historic Olde Courthouse in Mount Holly, New Jersey, as part of a festival to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In the summer of 1776, officials rang the same bell at the courthouse in Burlington City, the seat of Burlington County at the time, after the Declaration of Independence was signed.
The bell was moved to Mount Holly in 1796 when that city became the Burlington County seat.
Marisa Bozarth, Burlington County’s museum curator of history, said courthouse bells were rung in the 1700s to signify that something important was taking place.
“They would have rung it when there was a large court case of any significance, when the jury was coming back, so people knew to return to the courthouse to hear the verdict,” she said. “The bell was also rung any time there was any public reading of any sort of important document. It was their way to get the information out to the masses quickly.”
After the wording of the Declaration of Independence was finalized and the document was signed, every state received a copy so it could be shared with the people living there. At the time, some Burlington County residents wanted to remain loyal to Britain, while others supported the movement for independence, Bozarth said.
“I would think it was a bit of a scary time because when the Declaration of Independence was finally signed and then presented, it meant we were really going to war,” she said. “We were declaring our independence, but we weren’t officially an independent nation yet. It meant a scary time was coming because Britain wasn’t going to accept that and just let us walk away.”
Some of the biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup, from group stage showdowns to the blockbuster final, will unfold at MetLife Stadium, bringing the biggest stars in soccer to New York and New Jersey this summer.
Home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, MetLife Stadium plays host to eight World Cup games, the second-most of any venue across the 16 host cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Five group stage matches, featuring the likes of Brazil, France, England and Germany, take center stage before the knockout stage brings a round of 32 and then a round of 16 clash to East Rutherford. The final on July 19 headlines the stadium’s fixtures, where over 82,000 people will be in attendance to watch the 2026 world champion crowned.
So many must-see matches promises blinding star power coming through New York and New Jersey, with five of the sport’s best players all guaranteed to feature in at least one game at MetLife Stadium.
1. Kylian Mbappé (France)
Match in NY/NJ: France vs. Senegal, June 16
It feels only right to start with the reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé. The forward picked up the individual honor, as well as a runners-up medal, back in 2022 when France fell short against Argentina in Qatar.
Four years after the disappointing finish and eight years after Les Bleus won their second World Cup title, Didier Deschamps’s men are back on the world stage with one of the most ferocious attacks in soccer, led by Mbappé. Despite the 27-year-old’s turbulent time at Real Madrid, he comes into the tournament off the back of a 42-goal season, looking fully free of the knee injury that hindered his 2025–26.
Mbappé was held quiet in France’s two tune-up friendlies, but it’s only a matter of time before he gets back on the scoresheet, and he has his first opportunity to do so at MetLife Stadium against Senegal. Should he bag a brace, Mbappé will become France’s all-time leading goalscorer.
2. Harry Kane (England)
Match in NY/NJ: Panama vs. England, June 27
Speaking of prolific goalscorers, Harry Kane is also set to play at MetLife Stadium in the group stage when England face off with Panama. The No. 9 scored a staggering 61 goals for Bayern Munich in 2025–26, a career-best haul ahead of the biggest tournament of his life.
The Three Lions are one of the pre-tournament favorites, desperate to claim their first major honor since 1966. They have come close to an ever-elusive piece of silverware, most recently finishing as the runners-up at the last two European championships, but nothing would be sweeter than lifting the golden World Cup trophy this summer.
So much of England’s hopes rest on Kane’s shoulders, but there is likely no player in the world Thomas Tuchel would rather leading his line than the captain, who is in the form of his life at age 32.
3. Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
Match in NY/NJ: Brazil vs. Morocco, June 13
Brazil vs. Morocco is one of the rare group stage matches that has stars on both teams. Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz lead the way for the visitors while Vinicius Junior and Neymar Jr headline Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer is undoubtedly the biggest draw, having earned a call-up for the World Cup that sent the country into pandemonium. Yet another injury setback likely rules Neymar out of the team’s opener at MetLife, leaving Vinicius Jr to take the spotlight, something he’s more than used to after eight seasons at Real Madrid.
The electrifying winger has struggled to produce in a yellow shirt, but he is not lacking in confidence after tallying 32 goal contributions for Los Blancos last season. Vinicius Jr also hit the ground running with the Seleção, bagging a sensational goal and assist in the team’s 6–2 rout over Panama, a performance he will hope to replicate under the lights as Brazil pursue a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
4. Erling Haaland (Norway)
Match in NY/NJ: Norway vs. Senegal, June 22
Along with the biggest names in La Liga and the Bundesliga, MetLife Stadium is also hosting one of the faces of the Premier League in Erling Haaland. The striker will lead Norway when it takes on Senegal in a clash that could decide the final standings in Group I.
Haaland is coming off a particularly draining last 12 months at Manchester City, where he made 56 appearances stemming back to last summer’s Club World Cup. Still, he found the back of the net 41 times and added another Premier League Golden Boot to his trophy cabinet.
Unlike at the club level, Haaland does not have the supporting cast on Norway to pick him up if he has a quiet night. The 25-year-old must be at his best in every match if he wants to lead his country to the round of 16, its best-ever World Cup finish, and perhaps even beyond.
5. Jamal Musiala
Match in NY/NJ: Ecuador vs. Germany, June 25
Germany’s last two World Cup campaigns ended in disastrous group-stage exits, nowhere near the standard of a country with four stars above its crest. Jamal Musiala was just a teenager when he made his World Cup debut in Qatar, but now he is back with more experience and trophies under his belt to help Die Mannschaft eradicate its recent failures.
The Bayern Munich star is fully recovered from the horror fractured fibula and dislocated ankle he suffered last summer, ready to have a tournament to remember. So much of Germany’s prowess relies on the dribbling and quick feet of the attacking midfielder, who is known to curl in a strike from distance if the moment calls.
In fact, Musiala just recently made his first appearance for the national team in nearly two years and scored on his return, helping Germany claim a 4–0 win over Finland in its first tune-up friendly. The real pressure comes on the world stage, but the 23-year-old is never one to shy away from the moment.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Jersey Shore rip currents account for more than 80% of ocean rescues
On average, about 100 people die every year from getting stuck in rip currents. Here’s what you need to know.
A New Jersey beach in Gloucester County is under a swim advisory due to high levels of bacteria, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Pet and wildlife waste, stormwater outflow pipes, as well as leaky sewer and septic systems are all common causes of water pollution. The state environmental agency monitors bacteria levels at more than 400 beaches and swimming sites around New Jersey each summer.
The department issued the swim advisory on June 10 at Monroe’s Timber Lakes Beach in Gloucester County, where levels of E. coli were double New Jersey’s safe swimming standard.
That same day, the environmental department lifted an earlier advisory on swimming at North Wildwood’s beach near 2nd Avenue and John F. Kennedy Beach Drive. Bacterial levels of enterococcus that exceeded safe swim standards on June 8 had returned to low levels by June 9, according to a second round of water tests shared by the department. Test results were not available until June 10.
Both enterococcus and E. coli are types of bacteria found in the intestines and feces of humans and animals. The microbes are used as indicator species to help health experts determine if other illness-cause viruses, parasites and other pathogens are likely present in water.
People with weakened immune systems, elderly adults and young children are most likely to become ill from swimming in contaminated water. The most common symptoms of swimming-related illnesses are diarrhea, skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, eye or lung irritation and ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Amanda Oglesby covers education and the environment. Reach her at aoglesby@app.com or 732-557-5701.
-
Technology4 minutes agoAmazon’s Echo Hub gets a customizable new look and Ring’s AI features
-
World11 minutes agoStarmer in ‘seismic’ crisis, UK defense chief quits before high-stakes Trump NATO summit
-
Politics14 minutes agoPlatner campaign rocked with damning allegations from another ex-lover as Senate race heats up: report
-
Health19 minutes agoAmericans to get new sunscreen option already used abroad for decades
-
Sports26 minutes ago2026 World Cup Odds: How Far Will Team USA Go?
-
Technology29 minutes agoGrandparents are identity theft’s biggest payday
-
Business34 minutes ago
Legal brawl that helped tank Jeff Shell’s Paramount career ends
-
Entertainment41 minutes ago
Todd and Julie Chrisley sue law firm for $25 million, say legal flub led to conviction
