Another flag burning question?
Why is burning the American flag freedom of speech yet burning a Mexican flag or gay pride banner a hate crime?
2 Responses
Chuck
21 Apr 2010
some_mystery_for
21 Apr 2010
Do you realize that your question is a strawman? Burning any flag is protected as free speech unless you are doing it in an intimidating manner. For example, if along with burning the gay pride flag you are wearing a white sheet and the fire you used to start the flame came from a burning cross – that might be considered a terroristic act and a hate crime.
People have been arrested for burning the flag, but they cannot be charged with flag desecration as the flag code is an unenforcable law. They can, however, be charged with creating a disturbance or an unlawful open flame.

Because we protect everything except the obvious.