NJ residents ramp up protests over town council's American flag flap: 'It hit a nerve'

Protests against the Edison, N.J. town council's ordinance banning items deemed "props" at meetings are intensifying, with residents vowing to keep up the pressure in support of the American flag.

"The residents of Edison would like to see these ordinances repealed," Russell Azzarello said. "Keep the public speaking time to six minutes and repeal referring to the United States flag and the Constitution as props." 

"It hit a nerve with a lot of people. It's not just a piece of material," he continued. "It's very symbolic to many people. Anybody that has a family member that's been a veteran, that's served."

The protest came after Council President Nishith Patel issued an apology, insisting the rules were never meant to ban symbols like the American flag outright.

Still, residents argue that the rules set a dangerous precedent.

Edison has seen a political shift in recent years, as Republicans gain ground in the blue Garden State. Some residents view the controversy as part of a broader cultural and political battle.

"There is a big change going on, and there's a big red wave coming across New Jersey," retired Edison police officer and former mayoral candidate Keith Kahn told co-host Carley Shimkus.