Though the burning of the American flag does not occur very often, when it does it leads to strong emotions from both supporters and those who oppose the activity. The issue of flag burning reached the Supreme Court in 1989 in the Texas v. Johnson...

Flags can be destroyed by burning or can be defaced with slogans, excrement, etc. Flags can be walked upon, spat upon, or dragged through the dirt. Flags may simply be used unconventionally: they may be hung upside down or reversed (in some countries,...

Two state laws that prohibit misuse and desecration of an American flag are unenforceable and unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled.U.S. District Judge Robert W. Pratt said Tuesday that the Iowa laws violate a due process clause in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.The...

A member of a Kansas group that has drawn criticism for protesting at soldiers' funerals was charged Thursday with misdemeanors after her son stomped on a U.S. flag during a demonstration last month.Shirley Phelps-Roper, 49, of Topeka, Kan., was charged with negligent child abuse, contributing...

A member of the Kansas group that has drawn criticism for protesting at soldiers' funerals has been arrested for letting her 10-year-old son stomp on a U.S. flag during a demonstration. She promised Wednesday to challenge the state's flag desecration law in court.Shirley Phelps-Roper, 49,...

The fiery message of the Westboro Baptist Church has led its followers into a fight for what they say are their First Amendment rights.After what would appear at first glance to be a setback in one court, the group heads to another one on charges...

The Current Status of Flag Desecration in the US.

Burning the flag is a very serious statement, however it seems to be protected by the government. Although it used to be against the law to desecrate the flag, in 1989 a Supreme Court case overturned the law. Texas v. Johnson, in a close 5-4 conclusion, decided flag desecration was to be protected under the 1st Amendment, the freedom of speech, of the press, of association, of assembly, and petition.