Flag burning is absolutely not a valid form of political expression under the first amendment. Though the Supreme Court, in the case of Gregory Johnson, ruled that it was in fact constitutional to allow people to burn the flag, the evidence against this ruling is overwhelming. First, the first amendment does provide protection to demonstrators wishing to voice their political opinions vocally and symbolically, the amendment does not allow for the desecration of sacred objects such as flags, cemeteries, and public monuments. The Texas law in effect when Gregory Johnson burned an American flag in protest of the American political system clearly states that it is illegal to desecrate such objects. The law defined desecration as "physical mistreatment of such objects in a way which
Flag burning is an extremely offensive method of expressing one's anger towards the American government or America itself. Not only did Gregory Johnson break a Texas State law, but he also broke an ethical law. There are many other methods of expressing contempt such as vocal protests, boycotts, and marches. Apparently, Gregory Johnson decided he needed to take his protest a step further and desecrate the most sacred symbol of the United States.
Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court the evidence in question definitely indicates that flag burning is unconstitutional and that Gregory Johnson broke the Texas law prohibiting the desecration of sacred public monuments. The flag represents a monument and the unity of the United States. Flag burning is not a vaild form of expressi
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