highly controversial issue; on the one side there are those who

believe that the flag is a unique symbol for our nation which

should be preserved at all costs, while on the other are those

who believe that flag burning is a form of free speech and that

any legislation designed to prevent this form of expression is

contrary to the ideals of the First Amendment to our

Shawn Eichman, as well as the majority of the United States

Supreme Court, is in the latter of these groups. Many citizens

believe that the freedom of speech granted to them in the First

Amendment means that they can express themselves in any manner

they wish as long as their right of expression does not infringe

on the rights of others; others, however, believe that there are

exceptions to this right of speech. Such constitutional issues

need to be worked out by the Supreme Court, which uses its powers

of constitutional interpretation and judicial review to outline

the underpinnings of the Constitution and interpret the law.

The case which acted as an impetus for Eichman's actions was

that of Texas v. Johnson. "In 1984, in Dallas, Gregory Johnson,

symbol of freedom, the individual communicates a willingness to

Eichman decision who were also against the Flag Protection

language and by the Supreme Court's adherence to its true

Reacting to this ruling, the Untied State's Congress sought

On October 30th, 1989, the day the bill went into effect,

Eichman decision who were also against the Flag Protection

simply a pure command of the Constitution. It is poignant but

Many anti-flag desecration groups, particularly the

but offend others. Perhaps a law such as the Flag Protection

Some common words found in the essay are:
Protection Act, Justice Stevens, Supreme Court, Ted Kennedy, Protection Amendment, Reagan Republican, White O'Connor, Bill Rights, Spence Washington, Texas Johnson, flag protection, flag protection amendment, protection amendment, protection act, flag protection act, bill rights, flag burning, supreme court, citizens' flag alliance, texas johnson, flag alliance, citizens' flag, flag desecration, jerk burns flag, court ruled favor,
Approximate Word count = 6114
Approximate Pages = 24 (250 words per page double spaced)