Throughout history, the ‘patriotic’ majority has been responsible for most of the atrocities committed against our fellow humans. Those who feel oppressed must never be silenced. When a society becomes more concerned with a piece of cloth than the freedom it is meant to represent, it’s time to wake up.Īs a former member of the USMC, I am unoffended when I see flag set ablaze or stepped on - because I see it as an act of expression by a group who feels oppressed. Sadly missing the point, however, are folks who fail to understand that burning or desecrating a flag without fear of punishment from one’s government, is what liberty is all about. The very essence of freedom is tolerating peaceful forms of expression, no matter how uncomfortable they make us feel. Johnson in 1989, a five-justice majority ruled that desecrating the American flag was protected speech under the First Amendment to the US Constitution.ĭespite this ruling, Americans from sea to shining sea continue to call for the arrest, or even death, of those who’d dare express their opinion through the use of the Old Glory.
In the famous Supreme Court case of Texas v. Included with his image of a burning American flag was the following post: Mellott’s arraignment is set for Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. He’s also been charged with disorderly conduct, both as an offender and a victim. Mellott has been charged with Section 49-1, flag desecration, a class four felony in Illinois, Charles said.
It’s similar to yelling fire in a movie theater.”
“The free speech that he was exhibiting, while it was distasteful to some, free speech is free speech,” Charles said. “It’s when you say things that are inciteful and make it clear that you are associated with someone that doesn’t share your ideas it got raised to a level where a reasonable person there would fear for their safety. Police are claiming they were forced to arrest Mellott and charge him with a felony - to protect him. “The volume of responses and specificity of threat against his place of employment (a location where an act of violence would likely cause harm to others), prompted police involvement in this case,” said Charles. Andrew Charles, with the Urbana police told the News Gazzette they arrested Mellott because of all the threats against him and his place of employment, Wal-Mart. Shortly after the threats to Mellott began pouring in, the Urbana police department’s phone began ringing of the hook with calls for his arrest - so police responded. His crime? Posting a picture of himself with a burning american flag.Ī short time after he posted the photo on Facebook, Mellott was swarmed with online attacks and threats from countless individuals who have no concept of freedom of speech.
Urbana, IL - On the 4th of July, countless Facebook users donned their digital pitchforks and torches and praised the arrest and felony charge against 22-year-old Bryton Mellott.