EDISON, NJ – A large video truck emblazoned with the message “This Flag is Not a Prop” and “Demand Accountability from the Edison Council” greeted Edison Township employees as they arrived at work this morning. The truck was sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of Americans to free speech and free thought.
This demonstration is the latest development in an ongoing controversy surrounding the actions of Edison council members. During a meeting of the Edison Township Municipal Council on Nov. 25, the council formally adopted Ordinance 2239-2024, which would “establish firm rules of decorum for conduct at Township Council Meetings.” Among these rules is a prohibition on “the use of props while addressing the council,” which apparently include the symbols of our republic.
Despite issuing an apology and clarifying that the American flag is not banned from municipal buildings, the council has refused to rescind the ordinance that led to the controversial removal of a resident holding a flag during a November meeting.
The video truck will also be a prominent feature in a car and truck rally scheduled for later today. The rally will kick off at 6:00 PM at the Bon Jovi Service Area (milepost 124) on the New Jersey Parkway. Participants will then drive directly to the Edison Council meeting at 100 Municipal Boulevard demanding that the ordinance be rescinded.
The council meeting is expected to draw a large crowd and significant media attention, with multiple news outlets planning to cover the event. The presence of FIRE and the public demonstration indicate a growing demand for transparency and accountability from Edison’s elected officials.
