What is considered desecration of the American flag?

18 U.S. Code

18 U.S. Code

Title 18 of the United States Code is the main criminal code of the federal government of the United States. The Title deals with federal crimes and criminal procedure.

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Title 18 of the United States Code - Wikipedia

§ 700 - Desecration of the flag

Desecration of the flag

Flag desecration is the desecration of a flag, violation of flag protocol, or various acts that intentionally destroy, damage, or mutilate a flag in public. In the case of a national flag, such action is often intended to make a political point against a country or its policies.

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Flag desecration - Wikipedia

of the United States; penalties. Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

What violates the US Flag Code?

People commonly violate the Flag Code when displaying the Stars and Stripes on apparel, athletic uniforms or bedding. The only exception is made for military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations who are allowed to wear a flag patch that is customized for their uniform.

Is The Thin Blue Line flag desecration of the flag?

The current amended U.S. Flag Code has no penalty provision and is considered advisory flag etiquette. Supporters of the Blue Line flag are not insensitive to the Flag Code's standards. They argue that it's not a desecration of the American flag, because it's a completely different flag.

Is US flag burning illegal?

RULING Yes. REASONING (5-4) The majority of the Court, according to Justice William Brennan, agreed with Johnson and held that flag burning constitutes a form of "symbolic speech" that is protected by the First Amendment.

When did it become legal to deface the American flag?

In 1968, Congress approved the Federal Flag Desecration Law after a Vietnam War protest. The law made it illegal to “knowingly” cast “contempt” upon “any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning or trampling upon it.”

Is the Police Thin Blue Line Flag an Illegal Desecration?

Is desecrating the US flag a felony?

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the government cannot prohibit citizens from desecrating the American flag. Congress has repeatedly attempted to outlaw flag burning through legislation and constitutional amendments, but none of these attempts have succeeded.

Does the Flag Code apply to civilians?

L. 105–225), addresses conduct when the U.S. National Anthem is being played while the flag is present. That law suggests civilians in attendance should face the flag "at attention" (standing upright) with their hand over their heart.

Is the blue line flag disrespectful?

In May 2021, the Edmonton Police Association drew criticism for flying a thin blue line flag atop their building. In response, a representative for the police association stated that they didn't "know where and how the symbolism of the blue line flag turned into being considered a racist or hateful type of thing".

Is flag burning constitutionally protected?

Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989). Flag burning constitutes symbolic speech that is protected by the First Amendment.

Can you burn the American flag in protest?

The act is considered offensive by many, but flag burning is legal in the U.S. under Supreme Court rulings that it is constitutionally protected speech under the First Amendment.

Is The Thin red Line flag disrespectful?

The meaning of the red line flag was certainly not meant to be disrespectful. It's purpose is to honor fallen firefighters and the department, but there has been some controversy. Because it's an altercation of the American flag, some people do not agree with it.

What does a black American flag stand for?

What does a black American Flag mean? Black flags have historically been used to signify that no quarter will be given. When translated into modern language, this means that captured enemy combatants will be killed rather than taken prisoner.

What is disrespectful to the US flag?

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

Is it disrespectful to wear American flag shorts?

Answer: Unless an article of clothing is made from an actual United States flag, there is NO breach of flag etiquette whatsoever. People are simply expressing their patriotism and love of country by wearing an article of clothing that happens to be red, white, and blue with stars and stripes.

Is it disrespectful to wear the American flag as a cape?

The wearing of the flag is listed as unacceptable according to U.S. flag code section 176 (d) which states, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." While many people think the flag code states that you can't wear any type of flag apparel, including a cape, the truth is that you can wear ...

Has Congress ever passed a flag desecration law?

In 1989, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned all of these statutes by a 5–4 vote in the case Texas v. Johnson as unconstitutional restrictions of public expression. Congress responded to the Johnson decision afterwards by passing another flag protection act.

Why do you burn the American flag when it touches the ground?

Nowhere in the U.S. Flag Code does it say that the American flag must be burned or retired if it touches the ground. This is simply has a myth that many Americans have come to believe over the years. You should still use caution to avoid letting the American flag touch the ground.

What happened to the Flag Protection Act of 1989?

Again in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the 1989 act on the grounds that the government's interest in preserving the flag as a symbol did not outweigh an individual's First Amendment right to desecrate the flag in protest.

What is the penalty for desecrating the American flag?

The text of the law reads: (a)(1) Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

What does black and white American flag mean?

While, a complete black and white flag of the American flag is viewed as a symbol of protest, and to express the rebellion. The black flag can be often found to be used in protests, which may be political, or non-political, but is used as a symbol of protest and rebel against supremacy.

Who can wear Thin Blue Line?

In the 1950s, the blue line was adopted by law enforcement professionals to represent their courage and sacrifice while protecting the American people. The Thin Blue Line emblem was established to symbolize all law enforcement personnel similar to the Red Cross symbol representing all medical personnel.

Can I fly a flag on my house?

Answer: It is generally necessary to obtain planning consent from your local council for the erection of a flagpole. However, under town and country planning regulations, it is possible to fly certain flags without planning consent.

What does no gold fringe on American flag mean?

Of course, if you look through the U.S. Flag Code – the federal law governing the display, maintenance and retirement of the American flag – you won't find any mention of gold fringe. Neither older versions of the U.S. Flag Code nor the current version mention anything about gold fringe.

What are three rules about flying the American flag?

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way. The flag should never be used as covering for a ceiling. The flag should never have anything placed on it.