...Ct. 2533, 105 L.Ed.2d 242, Argued in 1989. From case, Since the State of Texas conceded that the actions of burning the flag were expressive conduct, the Court had to decide whether the State's regulation of flag burning related to suppression of free speech in order to determine which standard to apply. Then the Court had to decide whether the State had an interest in regulating the speech, which overrode the First Amendment protections. Facts that Triggered the Dispute while the Republican National Convention was meeting in Dallas, Texas, in 1984, Gregory Johnson took part in a demonstration, protesting policies of the Reagan administration. During the demonstration, Johnson burned an American flag, and Dallas police arrested him. According to US court, Gregory Lee Johnson was arrested and convicted of desecrating a flag in violation of Texas law, a conviction which questions ones guaranteed First Amendment, constitutional rights. Johnson's involvement in a political demonstration in Dallas, lead him to express his political concerns with the nation leaders and governmental policies. The State of Texas' conviction of Johnson was carried out due to Johnson's conduct, a physically expressive act, rather than a written or spoken one and based on two criteria: a responsibility to preserve the integrity of the flag representing the strength, pride and unity of our nation and whether Johnson's actions threatened societal order and peace. Both criteria, which serve as the basis...
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...Thomas Clark October 11, 2015 American Flag The process in collecting and recreating the American flag collage was by using cut up pieces of magazine pages. The recreation of the American flag contains seven red stripes with the word ‘fight” on the second stripe, and “power” on the last red stripe; also, there are six white stripes with the word ‘freedom” on the third white stripe, “strong” on the fourth white stripe and “unity” on the fifth white stripe. On the Union blue part of the flag is contrasted into three different blues, and using beads as the stars for a different twist. The red stripes defiantly convey contrast going from light red to dark red or dark red to light red. The white stripes have words printed on them from the pieces of the magazine on the stripes instead of just plain white. Expressive lining would also been shown in the flag due to the fact that fight, strong, unity, freedom and power represent the American flag which can also be the focal point as well. As many should know that the thirteen stripes constitute the colonies, the fifty stars well in this case the fifty beads portray the states under the union. The red and white stripes possess some asymmetrical balance because the way the pieces were glued and the beads as the stars possess symmetrical balance. The American flag has different shapes such as the stripes being horizontal going one way and the union being squared. Repetition is also identified on the flag from the stripes to the beads...
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...The American Flag has come to symbolize the freedom and unity of the United States. Schools across the nation have placed the American flag in their classrooms where children can view this symbol of their nation. A pledge of allegiance to this symbol became part of the flag code in 1942 (Source A). This implication involved students pledging their allegiance to their flag and nation with their right hand over their heart. Yet, today, the Pledge of Allegiance has become a controversial topic in schools across America. Now the question is debated over frequently, should the Pledge of Allegiance be allowed in schools? The Pledge of Allegiance has a core message of liberty and pride in our nation and, although it has reference to religion, its...
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...The privilege of freedom of speech and national symbols such as the national anthem weren’t just provided for the American people. Men and women sacificed their lives for their fellow American’s freedoms. As citizens of America, one of our duties to our country is to unhold and honor all national symbols; which represent the pain and suffering that people went through to grant Americans today with numerous freedoms. Americans should respect their freedoms and use them wisely because not every county is blessed with the freedoms Americans possess. In result, all Americans should stand and honor the flag and recite the national anthem while it's played. Additionally, the American flag represents several respectable and prominent freedoms and events which American citizens have experienced. Also, the national anthem expresses the pride and freedom of Americans which deserves to be observed similarly to the flag. Mentioned by Marc Leepson, a historian and journalist, “the flag stands for all that is admirable in American political history, especially our democratic form of government and the First Amendment freedoms we have enjoyed since 1776…[also] a unifying symbol......
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...Supreme Court Case Research Paper Texas v. Johnson The American flag. It’s arguably the most iconic American symbol. Even our national anthem includes the reference“whose broad stripes and bright stars”. In this song, lyricist Francis Scott Key isn't just mentioning how the flag looked at the time. He’s alluding to a deeper meaning. This flag is not only a symbol of a country, but of a brave and heroic people who defend their country’s citizens and freedoms. This illustrates the sacrality of the flag- it represents a lot more than miles of land. It represents thousands of lives lost for American citizens of all ages, colors and genders, and thousands of more lives that will be lost. The American flag is a venerated object, a national treasure- and it should be treated as such. However, Gregory Lee Johnson had a different opinion. Johnson’s unpatriotic actions in the state of Texas led to the infamous court case of Texas v. Johnson....
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...defendant, Gregory Lee Johnson, took part in a demonstration that took place at the Republican National Convention in Texas in 1984. During a time in this nonviolent demonstration Johnson was given an American flag which he set on fire. Nobody was injured while the flag was burning, but Johnson was convicted of destroying a respected object. Johnson appealed his conviction and the Courts of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas and lost. He then proceeded to take his case to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and his conviction was overturned. The court contended that Johnson could not be punished for his exercising his right to free speech (the First Amendment). In 1989, the Supreme Court took the case and with a 5-4 vote affirmed the Texas Court of...
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...artifacts that have deep roots. (American Intercontinental University, 2013). An artifact is an item of culture that represents deep traditions and customs. The single artifact that I believe represents the culture that I live in today is the United States Flag. The US flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes which represent the original 13 colonies. The stripes are alternating red and white stripes: 7 red and 6 white stripes. The stars on the flag are symbolic of the 50 states of the union. The colors on the flag are also significant. The color red represents hardiness and valor. The color white represents purity and innocence. The color blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. All of the colors represent the US struggle to fight for independence, justice, and equality for all people. (USA Flag Site, 2012) The United States flag relates to the values and beliefs of the US culture because it represents unity. The US flag in itself is symbolic of the unity of the 50 states. The United States flag is a source of pride and inspiration to many US citizens because of the bearing on the historical roots. For many the United States is also a symbol that represents equality and justice for all. The United States did not always have these values. As with many countries, the leaders of the United States executed unjust laws and practices on other ethnic groups such as the Native Americans and the imported African slaves. In addition, Americans did not gain independence...
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...angry at that time, and then Johnson burned a national flag in front of the government building. The witnesses were so hurt emotionally, and one of them picked up the broken pieces and then buried them in his backyard. The police arrested Johnson afterward and charged him with violating a state law in Texas. The law prohibited the blasphemy of venerated object, including...
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...also the most known, The American Flag. This flag symbolizes strength, freedom, and also the rights and liberty of its people. The mere sight of the flag has granted men and women the courageousness and disposition to sacrifice their own lives so as to guard what it means to them personally. The American Flag was more than just a flag, it was an idea that brought citizens of the United states into unity. America was now not underneath the management of Britain...
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...The American flag has been a symbol of the nation’s strength and unity for over 200 years. The first American flag was sewed by Betty Ross in May of 1776 and congress adopted the stars and stripes on June 14, 1777. After the American flag became established, numerous amounts of people viewed the flag differently. Ordinarily, a patriotic citizen would view the American flag as a strong symbol of the country. A vain person will say it's no more than a piece of cloth on a stick. An undetermined citizen will straightforwardly say that the flag is very important but no more. But to me personally, the American flag has countless meanings. Therefore, the American flag is more than a piece of fabric. This flag symbolizes freedom, honor, and bravery....
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...Protection of the American Constitution In the summer of 2009, Al Rozzi during a protest of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, burned a flag among a group of protesters. Rozzi was arrested for desecrating the American flag. Flag desecration is the act of intentionally destroying, damaging, or mutilating a flag. It’s usually done in the public and usually the destruction is caused to a national flag. Rozzi’s flag destruction is a form of protest which is considered a right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment of the American Constitution. The controversy of flag desecration started with the case, United States Supreme Court in Texas v. Gregory Lee Johnson in 1989, when Johnson drenched an American flag in kerosene and burned it in front of the convention building while protesting the polices of Ronald Reagan. Other protesters followed Johnson with chanting “America; red, white and blue; we spit on you.” Johnson was arrested and convicted under a Texas law for intentionally desecrating a state or national flag. He was fined $2,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. He appealed the Supreme Court decision and Texas argued that they had a right to protect the flag as a symbol of national unity. Johnson argued that his freedom to express himself protected his actions. Luckily, the Court sided with Johnson’s argument for expressing freedom of speech. The United States Supreme Court in Texas v. Johnson case generated years of debate over the meaning of the flag, including efforts...
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...Association. As chairman he prepared a program for the public schools in 1892, which included a flag raising ceremony and a flag salute – his “Pledge of Allegiance” (Baer, 1992). The Pledge qualifies as an artifact because it is persuading us to use the words in our classrooms everyday as an oral tribute to the United States. The original pledge was “I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. It was written for recitation at flag raising ceremonies as a salute to the flag. The effectiveness it has is having individuals believe that there is power in the symbol of the flag. There is protection and peace of mind in being a unit and having unity and the flag represents this harmony. There were a few changes that lead to the alteration that is now recited today as "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge is now an oath and public prayer. This has sparked controversy from civil rights to religious rights. In their attempt to improve the effectiveness of the Pledge, there have been problems. Throughout the years a few alterations have been made to the Pledge. The original phrase “I pledge allegiance to my flag”, was changed to “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States”. The verse “one nation indivisible”, was changed to “one nation, under...
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...Texas v. Johnson Supreme Court of the Unites States, 1989 491 U.S. 397. Facts: During the 1984 Republican National Convention, Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag to protest the policies of the Regan Administration and certain Dallas-based corporations while protesters chanted "America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you." Although no one was physically harmed or threatened, many bystanders were deeply offended by the demonstration. He was arrested and convicted of violating a Texas statute that prevented the desecration of a venerated object if the action were expected to rouse anger in others. He was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $2,000. The Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas affirmed the conviction; however, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed it stating he could not be punished for his actions of obvious political nature in this circumstance. The case then went to the Supreme Court to...
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...PA205: Introduction to Legal Analysis and Writing Unit 1 Case Study In 1984, the Republican Party met in Dallas, Texas for their national convention. President Ronald Reagan, seeking a second term in office, was to be officially named the Republican Party’s candidate for President. During the convention, opponents of Reagan’s policies organized a political protest in Dallas, which attracted over 100 protestors. Among the protestors was Gregory Lee Johnson. As the demonstrators marched through the streets chanting slogans, another protester handed Gregory Johnson an American flag that had been taken from a flagpole at one of their protest locations. Upon reaching Dallas City Hall, Johnson doused the flag with kerosene and set it ablaze. Johnson and his fellow demonstrators circled the burning flag and shouted anti- American slogans. No one was injured or threatened with injury by Johnson’s act, but many who witnessed it were deeply offended. Dallas police officers arrested Johnson and charged him with violating section 42.09(a)(3) of the Texas Penal Code, which prohibited the “desecration of a venerable object.” Johnson pleaded not guilty in Dallas County Criminal Court, and after a trial was found guilty of violating the statute. He was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $2,000. State v. Johnson, No. CCR 84-46013-J (Crim. Ct. No. 7, Dallas Cnty. Tex. Dec. 13, 1984). Johnson appealed his case to the Texas Court of Appeals, Fifth District, claiming that the statute under...
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...“Don't Tread On Me” is a classic phrase which adorned the revolutionary fervor of Americans and their founding fathers, well known for its appearance on the Gadsden Flag. Consisting of a coiled rattlesnake and a bright yellow background with the statement written underneath, the flag was first adopted as the flag of the revolutionary navy and has southern roots. The snake, being a significant political symbol of unity due to the Albany Plan of Union, was additionally a symbol of nobility in South Carolina. Appropriately, he would attack only in self defense and was always deadly, gaining the admiration of Christopher Gadsden and a nod from the Continental Congress. Gadsden was a notable individual of the south then, and today an admiral of...
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