Government

Elderly Woman in Public Housing Ordered to Remove American Flags From Her Balcony

75 Year Old Dawn Paulus Ordered to Remove American Flag From Public Housing Apartment

(Photo: David Foster for the Express-Times)

A 75-year-old New Jersey woman who lives in public housing has been ordered to remove the three small American flags she keeps on her balcony, and she‘s claiming it’s a violation of her constitutional rights.

“I hung my flags out and they sent a maintenance man to take them down,” Dawn Paulus told Fox News Radio, before adding: “I left my flag up anyway.”

But the various accounts differ as to why the flags need to be removed.

Paulus claims she was told to take them down because if the board allowed an American flag, they’d also apparently have to allow a Nazi flag or a Confederate flag.

“He told me that I can’t have the flags because of the Nazi flags,” she said. “If I hung the American flag up, and someone hung a Nazi flag up, they couldn’t tell them to take the Nazi flag down and still let me fly the American flag.”

But Paul Rummerfield, the executive director of the Phillipsburg Housing Authority, told Fox News Radio that tenants simply aren’t allowed to hang anything off the balcony.

“It’s not so much the flag as the bracket coming loose, that we’re concerned about,” he explained.

But Paulus fired back that tenants often hang laundry from their balconies, and there never seems to be a problem with that.

75 Year Old Dawn Paulus Ordered to Remove American Flag From Public Housing Apartment

(Photo: David Foster for the Express-Times)

Brad Jacob, a constitutional law expert at Regent University, thinks Paulus may have a winning case if she decides to press the matter.

“This is so much of a core free speech issue…because it’s the government the First Amendment comes into play,” he said.

“Flying the flag is one of the purest examples of First Amendment speech and expression. It clearly implicates Constitutional issues when the government tries to tell you that you cannot speak.”

He added: “Their justification is we must ban all because some of it will offend…Traditionally, that’s a losing argument.  Traditionally, free speech wins out.  And if someone is offended at another person’s speech, they’re just offended.”

However, Paulus could be evicted if the board decides she has violated her lease, and in that case, she remarked: “I don‘t know where I’ll go.”

“These veterans fought for us for freedom and now you can’t even fly the flag for them,” she concluded.

Comments (71)

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  • ALL4FREEDOM
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:46pm

    Don’t you do it.

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:27pm

      This Women is obviously dilutional – she think live in a Free Country.

      I went to a High School Ball Game a couple of Weeks ago and we had a moment of Silence instead of the Prayer.

      I KNEW THEN THAT I’M TIRED OF BEING SILENCE – I’M TIRE of this Administration trying to kick GOD OUT OF OUR COUNTY – we are less than a Generation away from losing Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and any other Holiday that represents what’s GREAT about America!

      I’M NOT GOING TO BE SILENT ANY MORE!

      Report Post » db321  
    • P C BE DAMNED
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:50pm

      I call BS on this. We need to start taking small stands finally leading to a major stand where we using the law arrest almost all politicians and lock them up for high crimes. Street justice is coming.

      Report Post » P C BE DAMNED  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:54pm

      We are not in Germany, this is the USA, since when can you not fly a flag from your own country?….. I bet it it has Dip s–t’s picture on it they would not have said anything.

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:13am

      It should exactly the opposite public house recipients should be required to fly and American flag SO THEY CAN BE REMINDED EVERYDAY OF WHOSE PAYING THEIR WAY….U.S. CITIZEN

      Report Post »  
    • libertus
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 8:38am

      100 % of those in support for public prayer at school events would defficate on themselves if they heard a Islam prayer to Allah before a football game. You have to look at things from all sides. There is no room Extreme religious views be it christian or islam in our society. Want to pray before a sporting event. Join a team at your church. I would have a problem with Islam prayers at school events therefore I can not in good judgement support prayers of my own religon. However, I do support a moment of slience where I can pray and my neighbor retains his liberty to do as he pleases.

      Report Post »  
    • mdeputy7
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 9:55am

      Hey Libertus….what the heck does that have to do with this story? Nothing. You just wanted a platform to say what you wanted to say. Yeah, I’ll admit it. I would be ticked if our public schools started having Muslim prayers. But I would be ticked because if you look at ALL the Muslim countries….NONE of them are free. Why would we want to absorb that into our heritage? No matter how much people try to fight it, we were born a Christian nation. Our success derives from that Christian heritage. Everybody knows that our country is going down the tubes. Why not at least TRY going back to our Christian roots…if for nothing else but as an experiment.

      Report Post »  
    • UnreconstructedLibertarian
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:35am

      Watch this video – its the beginning of our problems.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wutbmopcyn4&feature=related

      Why is this relevant? Because the symbology of our nation, and its parts, are under attack. They have been under attack since the masks came off the NWO-establishment. Be they Democrat or Republican, they have the same agenda – and its about to be completed.

      First, they attacked Confederate symbology – to remove any desire to study that conflict, its causes, or any notion of regional alligiance/pride. To make that symbol so repugnant, that you’d not study anything about it yourself. Its not coincidence that the NAACP declared war on the Confederate flag in 1991. These speeches were given at the same time.

      Now, this strategy has gone national – and its the United States flag under attack by the same methodology. Is not the NAACP beginning to treat the US flag and symbology like it did the Confederate flag 20 years ago? Yes, they are. The reason is to diminish your allegiance to your nation, make you question its history and nobility – thus making it easier to enroll your sympathies into the “New World Order”.

      There is absolutely no correlation of political idealogy or action between the Nazis and the Confederate States. For every racist remark found in CSA history, a contemporary and beyond can be found in USA history. Most of us will live to see the US, CS, and Nazi flags equated as evil in the push for the NWO.

      Report Post » UnreconstructedLibertarian  
  • Watermain
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:39pm

    Maybe New Jersey seceded from the US over the Memorial Day weekend.

    Report Post » Watermain  
  • Wolfgang the Gray
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:23pm

    “It’s not so much the flag as the bracket coming loose, that we’re concerned about,” he explained.

    So they don’t think those steel rails will hold up that tiny flag? They think the weight of that tiny flag will break the bracket? I‘ll come over there and weld a pole mount for this lady that isn’t ever going to come off.

    If BHO wins in Nov, the only way to keep our freedom will be to secede from the union. I have no loyalty to socialist thugs that are destroying everything that made this country great and are turning us into a penniless nanny state. I stand for the Constitution. If you stand against that, you stand against me. Bring it on! God bless America!

    Report Post » Wolfgang the Gray  
  • tharpdevenport
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:00pm

    There’s no “War on Women”, but I sure do see at least once every three or four weeks a War on American Flags.

    Coincidently, a local business threw away American flags that look just like those she has. I found them in a black trash bag and saved them. I’ll be displaying them the 4th of July.

    Report Post » tharpdevenport  
  • JediKnight
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:38pm

    Maybe she should get out of the public housing, give up the welfare, and ask her family to help her out. Then she could fly anything she damn well pleases.

    When the government starts giving you things, they can start telling you how to use them.

    Report Post »  
    • sclinesr
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 8:35pm

      She’s most likely to be on Social Security not welfare. And how do you know if she even has family let alone family capable of helping her out?

      Report Post »  
    • dwalk
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 9:53pm

      TO JEDIKNIGHT,
      She’s just waiting for that “Hope and Change” thing to take place, if she is on public housing. Give her a break! Nice to see that you admit there is an agenda by this administration for forcing as many citizens as they can on to government entitlements – so they cannot complain.
      Your campassionate socialism is showing?

      Report Post »  
    • asj
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:06pm

      “When the government starts giving you things, they can start telling you how to use them.”

      True. That is my argument for why random drug testing of welfare recipients should be no problem. As my dad used to say, “My roof, my rules.”

      Report Post »  
  • BonnieB49
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:31pm

    I would be willing to contribute to a legal fund to hire an attorney for this lady to fight for her right to fly her flag. And like Mr. Jacob said, she has a winning case! We need to start fighting back and stop this insanity.

    Report Post »  
    • Vickie Dhaene
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:59am

      I wonder what would be the extent the government would go in such a case? Would they evict her? Would they take her benefits away? Too soon for her to doing anything. Refuse to comply and see how far they will go.

      Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:23pm

    Fake, distorted news. Like I’d expect from you, on this fake May 29th. We’re going back to the original, true calendar.

    Says Anna Sun, in Madison.

    Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:19pm

    How sad it is it when an elderly American women‘s flag is considered ’offensive’?
    On a very positive note…It’s really not too bad because everything is about to change in this great country over-night!
    ‘Pocket book’ American economics are about to give the ‘elite’ the biggest ass-whooping in over 100 years.
    Liberals, brace yourselves.
    I’ll pour……..

    Report Post »  
  • Bronco II
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:17pm

    That is what is sad when you live under the thumb of the government they are like parents when their paying the bills either live by my rules as long as I’m paying the bills or move out.My heart goes out to her but truth is truth and yes it‘s disgusting what is happening in our country but we are just as much to blame we voted some of these thugs in and now we’re paying for it.GOD BLESS the lady her heart was in the right place and thank you for wanting to show your respect for our HEROES.They will know by this story so let not your heart be troubled.GOD SAW AND SMILED.

    Report Post » Bronco II  
  • TheCoffinMaker
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:59pm

    When is ICE going to pay landlords of apartment complexes a visit?

    Almost all of the apartment complexes in Raleigh are busting at the seams harboring illegal Mexican aliens.

    Report Post » TheCoffinMaker  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:55pm

    The founders never cited anything in the Constitution… but they would have grabbed their Guns to Defend her!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • countryfirst
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:55pm

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJgWMI0hch8

    “All that for a damn flag” Michele Obama

    Report Post » countryfirst  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:30pm

    Tell ‘em to pack sand, lady. Then buy a supply of more flags in case they somehow remove them. Oh, and don’t let the maintenance man in. We’ve got your back.
    signed, America.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:28pm

    Maybe she should tell them these flags have been laundered!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:09pm

    If you can‘t fly the flag of your country on it’s soil the republics days are numbered.These idiots that so flagrantly violated this ladies first amendment right to free speech need to pull their collective heads out.Political correctness and debt are destroying this country.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • NLN
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:08pm

      You are so right. It is a shame when a person cannot display the symbol of the country you live in. PC is going to take this country apart. (I think it already has.)

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:18pm

      The Governmental Seats & Offices have been Occupied by Aliens: We are Occupied!

      Form Ranks… or Surrender!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • term limits for congress
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:09pm

    Tenants hang laundry from the balconies? Doesn’t every unit have a functioning washer and dryer? I’d sue!

    Rules are rules. Don’t like it – get out. And, Yes, people will fly other things over the balcony, if allowed. I remember when Michael Jackson flew one of his children over a balcony.

    Report Post »  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:59pm

    I fly my confederate flag with pride.It’s not about slavery but people being told what to do by our government..I live in upstate ny not in the south..We will fight back!!!

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:14pm

      Go Orange!

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • iBeliever
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 10:31pm

      Yeah but “not being told what to do by your government” pretty much amounted to “have slaves.”

      Report Post »  
    • taxpro4u03
      Posted on May 30, 2012 at 6:19am

      @ Ibeliever — Perhaps you mist da part where on April 24, 1863 the puppet-prez UNLAWFULLY suspended the Republic’s Constitution. {EXACTLY the same thing them thar ‘patriots’ did with their Declaration sent to King George —- seceeded —-} – B4 Lincoln could restore it to it’s proper place (i.e., rescind General Orders 100 — STILL in effect today) – ‘Boothe’ became the ‘villan’ — The SECOND Organic Act of 1871/74 (incorporating an already incorporated corporation- 10sq mi area of D.C. – 1806 — doesn’t make sense, does it? Hm – cuz it incorporated the ENTIRE usa! i.e. conquered us ALL!!! North AND South} This Act ‘also’ bastardized a few ‘amendments’ whereby 14th amendment ‘citizens’ were ALL ‘legal fictions’ of the corporation — (that’s YOU, dude!) — Jeffy Davis was ‘pardoned’ B4 Samuel P Chase (SCOTUS) could RULE on the question of lawfulness of secession… “Plausible deniability.” — The TWO constitutions co-exist – one is just ‘suspended’ until SMART natural Americans implement it (that means NO LAWYER…) We are, IF WE ARE FREE, a people without a country. USA is a Private CORPORATION {actually sub-corp of Her Majesty via da Pope – see Magna Carta 1215AD – illegal – ;-)} If we are ‘citizen/subjects,’ then… your ‘right to work’ card (social security card) is your ‘debt SLAVE’ card — Only thing that ‘changed’ in 1874 is the MASTER (corp usa) just different ‘plantations’ and methods of ‘coersion.’

      Report Post »  
  • 65Mustang
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:58pm

    Just another nail in the coffin of the freedoms we had before Obama was fraudulently elected into office.

    Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:54pm

    …
    Why would the public housing authority think Nazi flags would have to be allowed, if she left the American flags up? This is ridiculous. We are not Germany. We are not Nazis. We are Americans. This is America. We should be allowed to display American flags.
    This Political Correctness needs to end now.

    Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 6:10pm

      Wonder how shes liking that welfare now? I will die before I go on Government assistance in any way. I will nevr take my SS even though I know its mine…They can keep their stolen money. Screw the commie bast@rds.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • g.prunty
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:53pm

    if they were concerned about the flags or brackets falling then send a maintenance man up to make sure they are secure not to take them down

    Report Post »  
  • inblack
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:51pm

    And so it goes. Americans enslave themselves to the govt and lose more freedom.

    If the govt didn’t spend over $1 trillion of our production on their worthless programs, this lady would probably have a job and a well kept house.

    We are selling our souls to the govt, hoping that they will feed the poor and shelter the homeless, so that we don’t have to, but really we have just sold these people and ourselves into slavery.

    There is no reason that charity must be done through the govt. If we let the states, the churches and/or the free market manage this we would have competition and people would have a choice – and a say.

    Report Post »  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:49pm

    Excuse me but I proudly fly my american flag and confederate flag with pride!And people should know The BATTLE flag of the confederation is not a flag of slavery but a flag against government oppression.I see many more battleflags being flown north and south.

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:46pm

    I’m not buying the Nazi flag defense … those are LITTLE American flags .. I would love to send her a bigger one to display!

    Report Post »  
  • Just in time
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:46pm

    All the attacks on the First Amendment are making me sick.

    Report Post »  
  • Caballosinnombre
    Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:45pm

    Who owns the joint? A bunch of Chicoms? Let her keep her flags.

    Report Post »  
    • phillipwgirard
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 5:54pm

      **** em, FLY THEM FLAGS!!!

      Report Post » phillipwgirard  
    • Bronco II
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 7:20pm

      The chicomes are the government it is government housing they make the rules unfortunetly.But the YOUNG LADY gets a big hug from me for her trying to be a good hearted American and show her Thanks to our HEROES.

      Report Post » Bronco II  
  • lapitup
    Posted on May 30, 2012 at 11:48am

    You read my thoughts…

    Report Post »  
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