FLAG DESECRATIONBy Will Sebolt

Definition To desecrate means to divest of sacred or

hallowed character.

Why are Flags Important

National symbol Represent your country Shows your patriotism Respect

Desecration of Flags Burned Stepped on Ripped Dragged through dirt Waved upside down

Why Desecrate a Flag? Expressing speech

Political views (usually concerning with foreign countries) Protest an issue Distance yourself from your country Insult another county

Laws in America A misdemeanor in every state except

Wyoming Wyoming is the only state that says it’s a

felony First flag protection act was passed in

1968 by Congress because of Vietnam protests

Texas v. Johnson Texas vs. Johnson 1989 Decision by the supreme court of the U.S.

overturned states’ laws on flag desecration

Viewpoint 1 (pro) Protected under article 1 from the

Constitution Speech should not be limited We have the right to protest Part of the democratic process People have fought in wars so that we

have the freedom to express opinion

Viewpoint 2 (con) The flag is a symbol Sacred Not a part of speech Represents people who have died in wars

and so by burning it you are also desecrating war heroes

Speech should be limited Endangers public safety

Reasons for overturning states’ laws

Speech is protected under 1st amendment under the Constitution

No law to support it

Flag Desecration Amendment

Congress tried to make a flag burning amendment in 2006

it failed by one vote “Congress shall have the power to

prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States”

Polls show that the majority of the American people are opposed to a flag burning amendment

Bibliography

Viewpoint Arguments: http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=175

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_desecration http://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture titled as: "Should the Constitution Criminalize Flag Desecration?"- by Jeremy Eaglehttp://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture of Rick Monday giving a speech about flag desecration. - by Mark Wilsonhttp://www.2facts.com/icof_story.aspx?PIN=i1100540&term=flag+desecration Picture titled as: The Flag-Burning Amendment and Congressional Elections - by Jeremy Eaglehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Desecration_Amendment