The United States flag is a very powerful symbol.  It flies with pride on many occasions.  It flies in remembrance and honor on other days.  The country has also united behind the flag.  Bring everyone together.  However, protesters have used this powerful symbol.

People who are unhappy with the United States government often protest using the flag.  Sometimes people fly the flag upside down as a sign of protest.  An upside down flag is meant as a military distress symbol.  However, people sometimes fly the flag upside down to protest the government, to say that the government is in “distress.” Flag burning is another form of protest.  Another way.  Remember that there are flag burning rituals performed to retire an old and worn out flag.  However, flag burning in protest has nothing to do with this. 

The Supreme Court ruled, in Texas vs. Johnson, that the First Amendment protects flag burning.  The Supreme Court ruled by a vote of 5 – 4.  The majority opinion saw flag burning as “expressive conduct,” or free speech.  One of the minority opinions said that Johnson, who burned the flag, was punished for the way he expressed his opinion, not for the opinion itself.  Not for his opinion.