The U.S. was founded on the basis of personal freedom, yet free speech is now being encroached upon by one of President Donald J. Trump’s recent executive orders, which makes the burning of the flag a punishable crime. On Aug. 25, Jay Carrey of North Carolina was arrested just hours after Trump signed the executive order into law.
Carrey was seen on video informing people he is a disabled, combat veteran who served this country for 20 years. Later, he is taken into custody by the Secret Service while many in the crowd chant “Shame” at the authorities. The Supreme Court Case, Texas v. Johnson, ruled that the burning of the flag was protected under the First Amendment.
The U.S. was built by patriots willing to protest against what they thought was wrong. David Cole, a professor at Georgetown Law who represented many flag burners in several different court cases, said, “It can be used to wave it to express support for the government. It can be used to burn it to express opposition to the government.” Protesting is what the American people died for.
When people see something they disagree with, regardless of political ideology, they protest. The burning of the flag is just a form of protest that conveys their patriotism. Standing up and burning a symbol is one of the many things that veterans have fought or died to be able to do.
People opposing this executive order say that those who served this country have fought and died for this flag, and that it disrespects the sacrifice they have made. However, the veterans who gave their lives for America defended the right to live and protest.
During the Civil Rights Movement, people were accused of being unruly and acting scornfully, but in hindsight, they are remembered as heroes who fought for what was right. The same thing happened with Vietnam’s protests. People opposed to the Vietnam War were condemned as unpatriotic and communist, but the conscientious objectors now receive credit for helping to end the war and prevent more people from dying.
Jay Carrey was doing what he thought was necessary to protest an executive order that was wildly unconstitutional. His protest was not fueled by hatred but driven by his opinion that what the President was doing was “illegal,” which allowed him to hold his leaders accountable.
Free speech was always meant to challenge people and their views. The First Amendment does not stop where people feel uncomfortable, and it never will. The very act of burning the flag is also what makes this country so great and allows those who feel unhappy with authority to express their uncertainty and anger. The American flag is a symbol, and it does not define this country; the people do.
