Summary
Michael Snow Jr., 24, has been charged with destruction of federal property for burning an American flag during protests against Israeli PM Netanyahu’s July speech to Congress.
Demonstrators, opposing Netanyahu’s stance on the Gaza war, removed flags at Union Station, spray-painted a Columbus monument, and raised Palestinian flags.
Federal authorities claim Snow used lighter fluid to ignite the flag. Cleanup and repairs cost over $11,000.
The protest permit was revoked due to lack of organizer communication.
To be extra clear, burning an American flag that you purchase or otherwise own is legal, first-amendment-protected free speech. Burning someone else’s American flag is not. This person allegedly took down federally-owned flags and burned them, hence destruction of federal property.
And worse, the only reason to not make that clear in the headline is for clicks.
That’s better. The idea that burning a piece of cloth should be a criminal offence is an absolute madness.
The criminal offense here is still burning a piece of cloth.
A piece of cloth that you don’t own.
Talk about burying the lede!
Charged because he stole the flag he burned. Burning a flag itself is not a crime.
Charged because he destroyed federal property.
Right. That’s my point. It wasn’t his flag to burn. That’s why it was a crime. Destroying a flag that belongs to you isn’t against the law.
I thought it was technically a crime, as is wearing it as clothes and dumb shit like that.
Not that I care, fuck the flag, but still… i thought they had laws about that.
You’re probably thinking of the Flag Code, which isn’t a law but more of a guideline for how to treat the flag with respect. Many military leaders treat the flag code like it is law, but also have a tendency to pick and choose which parts of the code they enforce.
Nah the flag code is not law in any way, just recommendations. Especially when it comes to civilians. What I want to know is how it was $11,000 in damages. That can’t be the charges against the flag burning, I wonder if they mean cleanup for the protest.
Like what would they claim? We paid 100 people $100 to sweep the area for 4 hours, and $1000 for a replacement flag?
Likely paid 10 people $15 an hour for 4 hours, and paid $150 for a new flag. Admin fees. $1000.
Nah the flag code is not law in any way, just recommendations.
That’s what I said.
So just like actual laws
If you’re rich, then yes exactly.
It’s a common misunderstanding, sadly. Here’s a Wikipedia article on a relevant supreme court case. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_v._Johnson
