The Importance Of Burning Our Country's Flag In Protest

The issue of burning the American flag, as a means of expression is continuously argued today. Many

“The [American] flag uniquely symbolizes the ideas of liberty, equality and tolerance - ideas that Americans have passionately defended and debated throughout our history. Thus, the Government…should protect the symbolic values of the flag” wrote Justice John Paul Stevens in the Texas v. Johnson (1989) Supreme Court Case (History of Flag Burning). Justice Antonin Scalia agreed, “If it were up to me, I would put in jail every…wierdo who burns the American flag” 9. However these Justices may have felt personally, this was not the result of the vote. In 1989, the Supreme Court defended flag burning as part of the First Amendment freedom of expression.

Flag Burning can be and usually is a very controversial issue. Many people are offended by the thought of destroying this country's symbol of liberty and freedom. During a political protest during the 1984 Republican Convention, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for burning an American flag. Years later in 1989, Johnson got the decision overturned by the United States Supreme Court. In the same year, the state of Texas passed the Flag Protection Act, which prohibited any form of desecration against the American flag. This act provoked many people to protest and burn flags anyway. Two protestors, Shawn Eichman and Mark Haggerty were charged with violating the law and arrested. Both Eichman and Haggerty appealed the

Obviously flag burning is a fire hazard that can have a very harmful outcome to the environment and all of its surroundings. Another argument that is stated in the E.M.S.A. says “Many materials in clothing can burn” (E.M.S.A). “Consider

Currently in the US, burning the flag is legal, as per the Supreme Court Case Texas v Johnson. In their ruling, the Supreme Court stated that burning the flag was an exercise of the first amendment right to freedom of speech, and therefore could not be banned. This caused much controversy, and several attempts were made by the President and Congress to ban flag during, however, each attempt was overruled by the Supreme Court. Supporters of flag burning say it is a form of expression, and therefore shouldn 't be banned as it doesn 't bring harm or threaten harm to anyone. This that disagree say that since the Flag represents America and its ideals, burning it is a direct attack on all our country holds sacred. Despite the controversy, and attempts to outlaw it, burning the flag is still legal today throughout the country.

On August 22, 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested for setting the U.S. flag on fire. His simple act of protest led to the Supreme Court ruling that flag burning is protected under the First Amendment as free speech, thus overturning his conviction. The flag symbolizes freedom, and part of that freedom is being able to express dissatisfaction with the government. However, some see flag burning not merely as a demonstration of opinion, but as an attack on national unity and American values. Should it be illegal to burn the U.S. flag as an form of protest, or is this method within the rights of American citizens?

The American Flag can be seen in many public places. You see it in schools, government building, stores and hanging in our homes. Those stars and strips are a symbol of freedom to many people across the nation. But is also represents civil liberties that became the pillars this country was founded upon. Flag Burning should be legalized because it allows those who feel disenfranchised the freedom of speech, the Constitutional right to protest and in many important instances it holds no Anti –American sentiments.

Everbody has there own reasons and opionions about everything. There are some that agree on things. Texas v johnson William j Brennan served on the supreme court from 1956 to 1990.[lines 3-4].The government had a interest in encouraging proper treatment to the flag.But it could or could not criminally punish a person for burning a flag.[lines4-5].This story texas v johnson relates to the quote because..some people agree that the flag should be treated right and with respect.Alot of people discriminate the things that went on with the flag.

meaning to the flag as a national symbol and representation of American values. In his dissenting opinion

Is it ever okay to burn an American flag as means of challenging the rules? In 1984 at a republican national convention in Dallas, Texas a man named Gregory Lee Johnson burned a flag in protest of the newly appointed Reagan administration policies which led to his arrest and prosecution. By looking at the Texas v. Johnson case, one can see it was right for Johnson to challenge the rules by burning the flag in protest of the reagan administration policies which is important because it represents freedom of symbolic speech in the first amendment.

In the two texts Texas vs. Johnson Majority Opinion by: William Brennan and American Flag Stands For Tolerance by: Ronald J. Allen they both started with the same cause but different point which I will cover in this paragraph. In both selections, it started from a guy named Gregory Lee Johnson burning the American flag. Also In both texts they both showed that flag burning was allowed but should not be tolerated. But in Brennan's text he uses a precious and careful tone “The way to preserve the flag’s special role is not to punish those who feel different about these matters. It is persuade them that they are wrong” Brennan,16. Where as in Allens text its more opinion based as expected “The American flag is cherished symbol of our national

It should be illegal for the United States flag to be burned or otherwise destroyed. The Supreme Court’s majority opinion argued that Johnson was protesting a political idea. While Johnson may have been protesting, he was using a symbol that as Chief Justice Rehnquist used in his dissent, “does not represent the views of any particular political party, and it does not represent any particular political philosophy. The flag is not simply another "idea" or "point of view" competing for recognition in the marketplace of ideas.” The flag has a uniqueness to it; it represents freedom, equal opportunity, and the goodwill for other peoples who share in the pride for our country. This unique status should outweigh the concerns of “symbolic speech” and protecting the right of protesters that desecrate the

The majority opinion was written by Justice William J. Brenna. It indicated that the Court agreed with Johnson that flag burning constitutes a form of “symbolic speech” that is protected by the First Amendment. And the Court disagreed with Texas’ argument that Johnson’s action breaches of the peace. What’s more, it emphasized that the state may not discriminate upon different view point. Justice John Paul Steven also wrote a dissenting opinion, arguing the national flag is a valuable asset, and Johnson’s action belittled the value of this important national symbol (Texas v. Johnson, LII / Legal Information Institute).

Is it okay to burn the American flag? In The American Flag Stand for Tolerance It gives reason to why it is okay to burn and why it isn’t. In the story it mentions that It should be okay to burn the flag when the government has done something that is bad. But the story also cites the first amendment stating that you should be able to express your opinion as long as it doesn’t become physical. In war the flag stayed up the entire time and never came down and that shows that burning the flag can also show tolerance because the flag has been through much worse and has never came down. But burning it can also lead you into trouble because people can get the wrong idea such as the law. Overall I feel people spreading their opinion on government

Does American Flag discriminate other people why or why not? On page three line two “A person has a right to express disagreement with governmental policies by burning the American flag. The next piece of evidence, On page two the caption says Dallas police arrest Gregory Lee Johnson for burning an American flag outside the 1984 Republican National Convention. Gregory Lee Johnson started a court case cause he burned an American flag. So he was treated for burning the American flag.