Texas V. Johnson

In 1984, the Republican National Convention was held in Dallas, Texas. away(p) the gathering center, many protesters distributed literature, held signs, and shouted in protest of chair Reagans policy-making policies. The crowd grew and became more raucous as the shadow went on. Among the speakers loose savoir-fairees, the picketers, and the flyer-distributors, there was a man named Gregory Lee Johnson. In the heart and soul of the protest, he unrolled the American flag, soaked it in kerosene, and lit it on fire. As the nations symbol lay enthusiastic on the floor, several(prenominal) protesters chanted, America the red, white, and blue, we spit on you (Wests Encyclopedia of American Law). They managed to anguish many who witnessed the act, so much so that peerless patriot picked up the remains of the charred flag and gave it a beseeming burial chamber in his back yard. During the protest, no cardinal was physically hurt, and no property was destroyed, except for the flag. This would be a major time period in Johnsons defense.         Gregory Johnson was arrested for the desecration of a venerated object, which was illegal in the body politic of Texas. He was convicted in Dallas County Criminal Court No. 8 and sentenced to one twelvemonth in prison and a graceful of $2,000 (Great American Trials) The exercise was appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals and Johnsons credence was reversed. When the case was brought in front of the haughty Court, the issue at hand was to deposit the constitutionality of the Texas legislation that prohibited the desecration of venerated objects.

The tell of Texas had passed a statute that mad e it illegal to desecrate exemplary objects! , however, did that statute molest citizens right to free symbolic speech? This was the issue the Supreme Court was faced with. On one side, it was a... strong makeup just need few sources as well standardised Goldstein, Robert Justin (2000). Flag Burning and Free Speech: The Case of Texas v. Johnson. Lawrence, KS: University ask of Kansas. ISBN 0700610537. Vergobbi, David J. (2003). "Texas v. Johnson". in Parker, Richard A. (ed.). Free Speech on Trial: parley Perspectives on Landmark Supreme Court Decisions. Tuscaloosa, AL: University of atomic number 13 Press. pp. 281?297. ISBN 081731301X. If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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