Am I the only person who is upset about protesters flying the Mexican flag above an up side down American flag

Question

This incident happened at Montebello High school in California.
I contacted my state Senators and Congressmen and one sent a letter back saying that nothing could be done because these people were protected by their first Amendment rights.

What happened to not flying another flag above the United States flag? Why is it not illlegal to fly the American flag upside down?
Am I the only on upset about this? Am I making to much of this? What do you think?
Thank you and have a nice day!

P.S.
Walter, I am a Catholic and most of the Hispanics are Catholic. I would not target them as I live in the South where we Catholics are targeted every day.

As for the Confederate flag, I have written to Senators and Congressmen about that also.

My Father was in WW2 and my brother retired from the Army as a Lt. Col.
I find it offensive to disrespect the American flag no matter who does it.

Answer 1

Here is the story behind the story:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/mexicoflag.asp

Answer 2

According to military tradition, it is my understanding that an upside-down flag was raised to signal that help was desperately needed and reinforcements should be sent. That would suggest that whoever did this was doing a protest that was saying that the Mexicans were invading and taking over (the reason that the Mexican flag was above the American one, to show being taken over), and that the upside down flag was a way of saying this country was in desperate need of help to stop the invasion. And whoever did it can say whatever they want, no matter how stupid it is. Consider that white people make up 68% of this country's population; and ALL Hispanics together (legal and illegal Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Cubans, etc., etc., etc.) only added up to 16% of the total population (meaning the TOTAL Hispanic population is only 23% the size of the white population) . Clearly the illegal immigration problem is not nearly as bad as these guys tried to make it out to be. All Hispanics added together, no matter their country of origin or the legality status, are less than 1/4 of the size of the white population. And if they have a problem with it, then why don't they mow their own lawns? add-on: Fellas, I don't think you know who did this. It was not the Mexicans. It was an anti-immigration protest, not a pro-Mexican protest. add-on: Wow, I did not realize that there were this many white people who needed to be schooled on their own history by a Mexican like myself. That's kind of sad, really. Especially from those that are part of a party that insists they love the military.

Answer 3

One apple does not make a bushel.

They marched in Texas with all kinds of flags. Thou after the event, the public was informed that they would all be carrying the American flags next time on there march. Few month down the road, you could see the people marching with old Glory slung on their backs, over their shoulder, on poles high in the air.

You best bet is to get with the leader in the community and talk with them about it. It worked in Texas and it will work in California

Only other thing I would like to add is that I did not see anything about what is going on in some of the southern states. They are trying to have the Confederate flag flown on top of government buildings? Your post is only targeting the Hispanic population.

Answer 4

No, your not the only one upset. Every American should have been furious. I was and so were everyone else I talked to. Actually, the Mexicans helped put a nail in their coffin by doing this. It just in-raged a lot of people that were feeling bad for them before this happened. It showed their actual dis-respect for us. If that's the way they feel, let them go back to Mexico and fly their flag.
What do you think would happen to us if we sneak in their country and fly our flag first and theirs up side down? You can be sure they wouldn't give us taco's for it.

Answer 5

the claim about the first amendment is based upon law.

the rules for an american flag are mostly etiquette. the supreme court ruled in (i think) 1989 (the case was texas v. johnson) that burning the american flag is protected speech.

so what follows from that is just about any way you want to fly a flag, you're ok.

Answer 6

It is illegal to fly the US flag upside down. It is an internationally recognized signal of distress, and making a false report of an emergency is a crime. They could be sued by the local municipality to remove it as a public nuisance, just like having a burglar alarm siren going off all night and day.

Free speech does not include all conduct.

Answer 7

You're right and MAN would those upside down American flag people get mad if you put the Mexican flag upside down with the American flag right side up.

;-) That's something for YOU to think about if you know that I mean!!!

Answer 8

This happened at a HIGH SCHOOL? Outrageous.........school is not the place to be making political statements, it should be a place of math and science and reading and history. This happens with the BLGT or whatever crowd too, make that statement elsewhere. I'm not saying that these statements shouldn't be made, but they need to think about location.

You should have gotten a crossbow and lit the bolt on fire, and, well, you know.

Answer 9

Flying the flag upside down has always been a sign of protest.

Not against the law - and it is meant to make a statement.

If you are angry about it, you have heard the statement - which was the point in the first place.

Works, doesn't it?

Answer 10

Your Senators and Congressmen were right: Doing so IS protected by the right to free speech as stated in The First Amendment.

"I don't like what you're saying, sir, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

-Peter Griffin, "Family Guy"

Answer 11

Enough already!!! Youy want to live in this country and claim all the benefits of being a US citizen, participate as one. NO ONE is saying to forget your heritage, but I think, no.......I know being a US Citizen far outweighs the supposed injustices people make it out to be. Obviously this country provides that opportunity, or else we wouldn't even be having this immigration issue to begin with. Sadly, no one ever thinks of this.