Is it a crime to burn the American flag?

Question

Some one burned my USA flag to the ground, in my front yard.

Answer 1

No, not for the mere fact that it's a US flag. It IS a crime to trespass and destroy property though.

Answer 2

Generally burning a flag is a sign of protest in a very high profile way. I don't think it can be considered as a 'crime' in a country that claims to give the right of 'Free speech' since, under this premise, everyone is entitled to their opinions. However in America everyone is entitled to their opinions as long as it conforms with the majority. If someone has a different opinion they should be entitled to express it and the flag burning episode is, no doubt, from someone who has cause to despise the USA. Many people in the world do so, I mean, look at all the Islamist countries for a start and all those that America has trampled on over the years. Remember how America persecuted people with communist ideals during the McCarthy purges. They didn't get free speech did they? Neither did Charlie Chaplin just because Hoover didn't like his outspoken views (Oh and they weren't communist). If the person who burned the flag has cause to do so, then it might be interesting to get his viewpoint and see what has driven him to such an act. We get the same in England with those from middle east countries doing it regularly. Doesn't stop them claiming welfare benefits though.

By the way I'm not knocking the US. They're supposed to be our great friends through the 'Special Relationship'. I'm just exercising my British right to free speech.

Oh, and if it was in youir front yard what was he doing there. I would have dowsed him with the hose pipe on the grounds that he was creating a fire hazard besides defiling the flag and insulting your country.

Answer 3

I believe that it is a crime to burn the flag yourself just for the fun of burning it. Which it should be. However, the American Flag is also never suppose to touch the ground and if it does it then becomes tainted and it to be destroyed by burning it. This can only be completed by the government legally. I think if you want to dispose of an American Flag you are to take them to a local National Guard Base where they will properly dispose of it.

Answer 4

nicely, in many situations burning the yank flag is seen as a pivotal assertion secure below the 1st modification. this is the argument you will get from maximum (alongside with me). yet enable's take the diagnosis to a extra constitutional point. traditionally the form has been approximately offering freedoms for the guy and regulations on the government. in actuality, the finished ingredient lists strikes that are prohibited of the state and federal governments, besides as some freedoms (to tax, to alter commerce, etc.). there is one exception to this: prohibition: the only occasion in American historic previous the place our shape became used to limit the guy. of direction, this ended poorly. previous this, enable's think of of pragmatism. The shape is ordinarily reserved for some enormously massive issues: you won't be able to bog down on freedom of speech, you won't be able to stress the persons to quarter squaddies, you won't be able to droop habeas corpus, etc. Flag burning is almost mundane. It does not pose of undertaking to the Republic or our "way of existence," as we choose to call it. could enshrining such language in our maximum sacred rfile extremely fall in keeping with those different provisions?

Answer 5

Altho it should be, according to the supreme court :

"Although almost eighty percent of Americans support a Constitutional amendment banning desecration of the American flag, in 1989 and 1990 the Supreme Court ruled that laws passed by Congress violated the First Amendment."

http://www.kingforcongress.com/clippings/flag5-05.htm

Answer 6

I believe it is a crime to burn the flag of any country. I think people just get away with it when they do so in protests etc.
The person who did that to you ought to be sued for trespass, and reported to the authorities for burning the flag

Answer 7

No, it is not. It is a valid form of protest, protected by your First Amendment rights.
However, it sounds like someone burned your flag without your permission. That would be considered vandalism, and that is a crime.

Answer 8

No, burning the flag in and of itself is not a crime; however, what you describe falls under criminal trespass and arson.

Answer 9

To burn one's own flag, no. To burn yours, yes; it's malicious mischief, a misdemeanor.

Answer 10

depends on the value "u" gave to the "flag" that was burned.