Flag desecration is a term applied to various acts that intentionally deface a flag, most often a national flag (though other flags can be defaced as well). A flag is a piece of Cloth, often flown from a pole or mast, generally used Symbolically for signaling or identification A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well Often, such action is intended to make a political point against a country or its policies. Some countries have laws forbidding methods of defacement (such as burning) or forbidding particular uses (such as for commercial purposes); such laws may distinguish between desecration of the country's own national flag and flags of other countries. A national flag is a Flag that symbolises a country The flag is flown by the government but usually can be flown by Citizens of that country as well Some countries have laws protecting the right to burn a flag as free speech.

Background

Flags can be destroyed by burning or can be defaced with slogans, excrement, etc. Flags can be walked upon, spat upon, or dragged through the dirt. Flags may simply be used unconventionally: they may be hung upside down or reversed (in some countries, however, this is also conventional protocol to indicate a problem). Some people consider it disrespectful not to salute the flag, although others (eg Jehovah's Witnesses) have religious reasons for not saluting. Jehovah's Witnesses is a restorationist, millenialist Christian denomination Toilet paper, napkins, doormats, and other such items may also be manufactured bearing the image of the flag, so that the flag will be defaced in the course of everyday activities. It is increasingly common to see clothing with the image of flags forming a substantial part of the piece. Opinion is split as to whether this is an act of national pride or defacement. Such actions are undertaken for a variety of reasons:

• As a protest against a country's foreign policy. Foreign Policy is a bimonthly American Magazine founded in 1970 by Samuel P
• To distance oneself from the foreign or domestic policies of one's home country.
• As a protest at the very laws prohibiting the actions in question.
• As a protest against nationalism. The term nationalism can refer to an Ideology, a sentiment, a form of Culture, or a Social movement that focuses on the Nation
• As a protest against the government in power in the country, or against the country's form of government.

In common usage, the phrase 'flag burning' refers only to burning a flag as an act of protest. However the United States Flag Code states that "the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning," ideally by an authorized organization with a suitable ceremony accompanying. [2]

Australia

Main article: Flag of Australia

Elizabeth O'Shea, an Australian student, burned the Flag of Australia in 2002; she was not charged. The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The word student is etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation Verb "studēre" The flag of Australia was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation. In May 2002, several prominent politicians advocated the banning of flag burning, but were rejected by the Prime Minister.

During the 2005 Cronulla riots, a Lebanese-Australian youth, whose name has been kept secret, climbed an RSL club and tore down its flag before setting it on fire. The Cronulla Riots of 2005 were a series of racially motivated mob confrontations which originated in and around Cronulla, a beachfront suburb of Sydney Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian The youth was sentenced to 12 months probation for the destruction of the RSL's property. Probation is the suspension of all or part of a jail sentence the Criminal who is "on probation" has been convicted of a crime but instead of serving jail [3] In October of that year the youth accepted an invitation from the RSL to carry the Australian flag along with war veterans in the Anzac Day march the following year. [4]. However, the RSL was forced to withdraw this invitation as it received phone calls from people threatening to pelt the youth with missiles on the day. [5]. The head of the New South Wales RSL was quoted as saying that "the people who made these threats ought to be bloody ashamed of themselves". [6]

In 2006, Australian Contemporary artist Azlan McLennan, burnt an Australian flag and displayed it on a billboard outside the Trocadero artspace in Footscray, Victoria. Azlan McLennan (born 1975 in the United States) is a Melbourne based Visual artist. Footscray is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Maribyrnong. He called the artpiece Proudly UnAustralian. [7]

A socialist youth group, Resistance, marketed 'flag-burning kits' - inspired by, and to protest the censorship of Azlan McLennan's art - to university students. A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups dedicated to fighting an Invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation [8]

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre worker Adam Thompson burned the Australian flag on the week of Australia Day celebrations in Launceston's City Park to the cheers of about 100 people, who were rallying against what they call "Invasion Day". [9]

Belgium

Flag desecration is not forbidden by Belgian law. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those Flemish youngsters have burned belgian flags on at least one occasion. Flanders (Vlaanderen Flandre Flandern is a geographical region located in parts of present day Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. ^[1].

Canada

Main article: Flag of Canada

In 1990, during heated political times around the Meech Lake Accord, the flag of Quebec was desecrated by residents of Brockville, Ontario opposed to Quebec's language laws. The National Flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and fr l'Unifolié ( French for "the one-leafed" is a red Flag The Meech Lake Accord was a set of failed amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated in 1987 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the provincial The flag of Quebec, called the Fleurdelisé, was adopted for the province by the government of Quebec, during the administration of Maurice Duplessis The Charter of the French Language ( La charte de la langue française, in French) also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101, Televised images of individuals stepping on the Quebec flag were played in Quebec and contributed to the deterioration in relations between Quebec and English Canada. Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following English Canadians a term usually meaning English-speaking Canadians as opposed to The incident, seen as a metaphor of Canada's perceived rejection of Quebec (and of Quebec's distinctiveness in the demise of the Meech Lake Accord) was invoked by Quebec nationalists during the run-up to the 1995 referendum on Quebec independence and is still remembered today. Quebec nationalism is a contemporary nationalist movement in Canada similar to what is found in other multi-ethnic and multi-lingual regions of the world The 1995 Quebec referendum was the second Referendum to ask voters in the Canadian province of Quebec whether Quebec should The Quebec sovereignty movement ( Mouvement souverainiste du Québec) is a political movement aimed at either attaining independent statehood ( Sovereignty) or some

In 2003, Baptists from Canada and the United States staged a flag burning of the Canadian Flag outside of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. This was to protest same-sex marriage that was being decided with the Canadian court system.

Denmark

It is illegal in Denmark, under section 110 (e) of the Danish penal code, to desecrate the flags or national symbols of foreign nations, while legal to burn the Dannebrog, Denmark's national flag. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe Danish penalty law ( Straffeloven) is the codification of the central legal text and constitutes the foundation of the Kingdom of Denmark 's criminal law The national flag of Denmark, Dannebrog, is red with a white Scandinavian cross that extends to the edges of the flag the vertical part of the The Folketing's reasoning is as follows: the burning of foreign flags falls into the realm of foreign policy, as the burning of another country's flag could be understood as a threat to that country. The Folketing, or Folketinget, is the national Parliament of Denmark. Foreign Policy is a bimonthly American Magazine founded in 1970 by Samuel P The burning of the Dannebrog, on the other hand, does not concern foreign countries, does not fall under foreign affairs, and so remains legal. According to Danish tradition, burning is also the proper way to dispose of a worn flag. [10] According to tradition, care must be observed to ensure that a flag never touches the ground, i. e. even when being disposed of, it should be placed on top of a fire. Flying the flag after sundown is also inappropriate behaviour. [11]

During the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy, Danish flags were burned in demonstrations in various Muslim countries.

Faroe Islands

According to the Faroese flag law the Faroese flag, Merkið, may not be desecrated, "neither by words or by deeds" ^[2]

Finland

According to the Finnish flag law^[12] it is illegal to desecrate the flag, treat it in disrespecting manner or remove it from a public place without permission.

France

According to the French law^[3], outraging the French national anthem or the French flag is liable for a fine of €7,500 and 6 months of incarceration if performed in a gathering.

Germany

Under German criminal code (§90a StGB) it is illegal to revile the German federal flag as well as any flags of its states. Offenders can be fined or sentenced for a maximum of three years in prison. As for flags of foreign countries, it is illegal to damage or revile them, if they are shown publicly by tradition, event or routinely by representatives of the foreign entity (§104 StGB). On the other hand it is not illegal to desecrate such flags that serve no official purpose (especially including any the one willing to desecrate them brings by himself for that purpose)

Hong Kong

In 1999 Ng Kung Siu and Lee Kin Yun were convicted for desecration of the regional flag of Hong Kong They were found guilty by a magistrate, had the conviction over turned in the High Court [13] but the convictions were restored by the Court of Final Appeal. The Regional Flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China [14] They were bound over to keep the peace on their own recognisance of $2,000 for 12 months for each of the two charges.

In the judgement, Chief Justice Andrew Li said although the Basic Law of Hong Kong guarantees freedom of speech, flag desecration is not legal because there are other protest methods. Andrew Li Kwok-nang, GBM, CBE ( born December 1948 is a Judge in Hong Kong, and is currently Chief Justice of the The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, or simply Hong Kong Basic Law, serves as the Constitutional document

Iraq

In 2004 many copies of the proposed new flag for Iraq were burnt (see Flag of Iraq). The flag of Iraq ( علم العراق) has had five different designs since the Kingdom of Iraq was established in 1921 There have also been cases of Israeli and American flags being burnt. There were no such examples of burning the current Iraqi national flags, even by political opponents, as both contain the words Allahu Akbar and so would be seen as a religious insult. The takbīr or takbeer (ar تَكْبِير is the act of saying the phrase, ar الله أكبر

Ireland

In Ireland, desecration of the flag is discouraged by the government, though not illegal. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world ^[4] During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Guinness beverage company was reprimanded by the Irish Government for selling the Flag of Ireland with a Guinness logo in the center of the flag. The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. Guinness (ˈɡɪnɪs is a popular Dry stout that originated in Arthur Guinness ' brewery at St The Government of Ireland (Rialtas na hÉireann n̪ˠə ˈheːɾʲən̪ˠ is the Cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.

Japan

In Japan, under Chapter 4, Article 92 of the Criminal Code, any desecration of recognized foreign nation's national flag and symbol to dishonor is prohibited and punishable by fine or penal labor on the complaint by the foreign government. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The Criminal Code (刑法 Keihō) of Japan was passed in 1907 as Law No As of 2007, no complaint had been made by a recognized foreign government. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. On May 1958, Flag of the People's Republic of China at a postage stamp convention was pulled down and damaged, but as Japan did not recognize People's Republic of China at the time, the law was not be applied. Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Flag of the People's Republic of China, the "Five-Starred Red Flag ( was designed by Zeng Liansong, an Economist and Artist

However, there has never been a law explicitly prohibiting desecration of Flag of Japan. The national flag of Japan is a white Flag with a large red circle (representing the rising sun) in the center The act of desecration is thus implicitly protected by Article 21 "Freedom of speech" of Constitution of Japan which also prohibit censorship. The has been the founding legal document of Japan since 1947 The constitution provides for a Parliamentary system of government and guarantees certain fundamental rights

New Zealand

In New Zealand, under the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981 it is illegal to destroy the New Zealand flag with the intent of dishonoring it. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The flag of New Zealand is a defaced Blue Ensign with the Union Flag in the canton and four red stars with white borders to the right

In 2003, a Workers Party of New Zealand member Paul Hopkinson, a Wellington schoolteacher, burned the Flag of New Zealand as part of a protest in Parliament grounds at the New Zealand Government’s hosting of the Prime Minister of Australia, against the background of Australia’s support of the United States in its war in Iraq. The Workers Party of New Zealand (previously known as the Anti-Capitalist Alliance) is a socialist political party in New Zealand. Hopkinson was initially convicted of destroying a New Zealand flag with intent to dishonor it, but appealed against his conviction.

On appeal, his conviction was overturned on the grounds that the law had to be read consistently with the right to freedom of expression under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 (sometimes known by its acronym NZBORA or BORA) is a Statute of the New Zealand Parliament setting out This meant that his actions were not unlawful because they were done in the context of a protest; however, outside of a protest, the same actions would still have been illegal. This somewhat unusual result was due in part to the fact that the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act does not overrule other laws. Hopkinson was the first person charged under the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act. Shortly after his successful appeal, Hopkinson again burned a New Zealand flag and was arrested once more, this time for disorderly conduct. This subsequent charge was later dropped following legal advice that, because of the appeal court's decision, Hopkinson's action would again have been justifiable as a form of free expression or free speech.

Panama

On January 9, 1964 a discussion broke out between Panamanian students and Americans living in the Panama Canal Zone over the right of the flag of Panama to be raised next to the flag of the United States, at this time a contended territory between these nations. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. The Panama Canal Zone (Zona del Canal de Panamá was a 553 square mile (1432 km² territory inside of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally The flag of Panama was made by Maria Ossa de Amador. It has been officially adopted by the "ley 4 de 1925" the flag is celebrated on November Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternating During the scuffle a Panamanian flag carried by Panamanian students was torn. This sparked four days of riots that ended with 22 Panamanians and four Americans dead, and with Panama breaking diplomatic relations with the United States. Panama, officially the Republic of Panama (República de Panamá) is the southernmost country of Central America. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the This event is considered to be very important in the decision to negotiate and sign the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, that allowed that the Panama Canal administration was handed over to the Panamanian Government on December 31, 1999. The Torrijos-Carter Treaties (sometimes referred to in the singular as the Torrijos-Carter Treaty) are two treaties signed by the United States The Panama Canal is a man-made Canal in Panama which joins the Events 406 – Vandals, Alans and Suebians cross the Rhine, beginning an invasion of Gallia. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) January 9 is known as Martyrs' Day and it is commemorated in Panama as a day of mourning. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Martyrs' Day is a Panamanian Holiday which commemorates the January 9, 1964 Riots over Sovereignty of the Panama Canal

Portugal

Currently, according to article 332^nd of the Penal Code^[5], "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the Republic, the Flag or the National Anthem, the coats of arms or the symbols of Portuguese sovereignty, or fails to show the respect they are entitled to, shall be punished with up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to 240 days". In the case of the regional symbols, the person shall be punished with up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days.

The Portuguese Penal Code (article 323^rd) also forbids the desecration of foreign symbols: "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the official flag or other symbol of sovereignty of a foreign State or of an international organization of which Portugal is a member shall be punished with up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days. " This article applies under two conditions (article 324^th): that Portugal maintains diplomatic relations with the insulted country, and that there is reciprocity (i. e. , that the insulted country would also punish any insult against Portuguese symbols of sovereignty, should they occur there).

Puerto Rico

In an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, a group people attending the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City were carrying a Puerto Rican flag. Seinfeld is an American Situation comedy, or sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5 1989 to May 14 1998 lasting nine seasons The Puerto Rican Day Parade (also known as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade) is a locally televised parade that takes place yearly on Fifth Avenue in New York City The City of New York Due to a careless toss of a cigar, the character of Kramer somehow sets it on fire by accident. Trying to put out the flames by tossing and jumping the flag on the ground, he was chased by a group of parade attendees who thought he was desecrating the flag on purpose. Although this was a typical Seinfeldian bit of irreverence, many Puerto Rican activists were outraged, and the episode was pulled from repeat airings.

Saudi Arabia

The flag of Saudi Arabia bears the shahada or Islamic declaration of faith. The flag of Saudi Arabia is the flag used by the government of Saudi Arabia since March 15, 1973. The Shahada ( Arabic: ar الشهادة, from the verb ar شهد "to testify" is the Islamic Creed. Because the shahada is considered holy, Saudi Arabia's flag code is extremely strict and even the slightest violation amounts to desecration not only of the flag but also of Islam itself. This has led to several incidents of controversy. In 1994, McDonald's printed carry-out bags bearing the flags of all nations participating in the FIFA World Cup, while Coca-Cola did the same on cans of soda. The FIFA World Cup, occasionally called the Football World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international Association football Coca-Cola is a carbonated Soft drink sold in stores restaurants and Vending machines in more than 200 countries Because of Saudi outrage, the companies stopped producing those items. ^[6] Also during the FIFA World Cup, in 2002, Saudi officials protested against printing the flag on a football on the belief that kicking the creed with the foot was totally unacceptable.

United Kingdom

Ulster loyalists prepare to burn the Irish tricolour on a bonfire on the eve of The Twelfth in Belfast

English, Scottish and Welsh law does not have any concept of "flag desecration", however the law in Northern Ireland has varied since its foundation in 1921. Ulster loyalism is a militant unionist ideology held mostly by Protestants in Northern Ireland. The Twelfth is an annual Protestant celebration on 12 July, originating in Ireland. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of The Union Flag of the United Kingdom and the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland are often defaced or burnt in Northern Ireland as a political provocation or as a protest. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the royal banner locally known as the Union Flag or popularly Union Jack Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. The Flags and Emblems Act of 1954 of the Northern Ireland Parliament, effective until repeal in the 1980s, made illegal the display of a flag likely to cause a "breach of the peace" and made it an offence to interfere or threaten to interfere with the display of "a Union flag. The Flags and Emblems (Display Act (Northern Ireland 1954 ( 2 & 3 Eliz The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule Legislature of Northern Ireland, created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, Breach of the peace is a legal term used in Constitutional law in English-speaking countries and in a wider public order sense in Britain " More recently, there has been controversy in Northern Ireland over which flags (if any) to fly over government buildings. ^[15]

The Queen's Colours and Regimental Colours are a very important symbol for a British Army regiment and for many regiments in the Commonwealth which have inherited the British Army's traditions. In military organizations the practice of carrying colours standards or Guidons, to act both as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander is thought The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. A regiment is a Military unit, composed of a variable number of Battalions – commanded by a Colonel. In a Line Regiment the Colour stand consists of these two flags, and damage to such a symbol would be a considered a great insult to the regiment by its members. In the past, when Colours were carried into battle, the seizure of an enemy Colour or the defence of the regiment's own Colours have ranked among any British regiment's finest moments. Examples include Sergeant Ewart's capture of the French 45th Ligne Eagle standard during the charge of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo; and the actions of Lieutenants Coghill and Melvill, who were both killed in their failed attempt to save the Queen's Colour at the Battle of Isandlwana, and for which they were awarded Victoria Crosses posthumously. Although they were presented with Regimental Colours the regiments of Napoleon I tended to carry at their head the Imperial Eagle. The Royal Scots Greys was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1678 until 1971 when they amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon In the Battle of Waterloo (Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo Belgium Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill VC ( 25 January 1852 – 22 January, 1879) was born in Drumcondra, Dublin and Teignmouth Melvill VC ( 8 September 1842 - 22 January 1879) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross The Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879 was the opening major encounter in the Zulu War between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom See below the section "Separate Commonwealth awards" Note that since A posthumous recognition is a ceremonial award given after the recipient has died usually in honor of an action associated with their death

In the British armed forces, it is usual for flag-bearers to lower flags and standards, even Queen's and Regimental Colours, so that they are draped on the ground, as part of a royal salute or during the two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday. In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday of November the Sunday nearest to 11 November ( Remembrance Day) which is the anniversary This mark of respect, known as vailing, is not considered to be a desecration of the colours.

United States

The Flag of the United States has sometimes been used in symbolic defacement, often in protest of the policies of the American government, both within the country and abroad. Flags of the United States The Flag of the United States of America consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of Red (top and bottom alternating

In 1862, during the Union army's occupation of New Orleans in the American Civil War, the military governor, Benjamin Franklin Butler, sentenced William B. Mumford to death for removing an American flag. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5 1818 January 11 1893 was an American Lawyer and Politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States William Bruce Mumford was a North Carolina native and resident of New Orleans Louisiana, who was hanged for tearing down a United States flag during the American Today, defacing a flag is an act of protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as established in Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), and reaffirmed in U.S. v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 (1990). The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the United States Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress Texas v Johnson,, was a decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag in Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past Court cases either in special series of books called reporters See also List of United States Supreme Court cases volume 496 Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past Court cases either in special series of books called reporters

After these decisions, several "flag burning" amendments to the Constitution have been proposed. The Flag Desecration Amendment, often referred to as the flag burning amendment, is a controversial proposed Constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States of America is the supreme Law of the United States. Any amendment to the US Constitution must first be passed by a two-thirds majority in Congress and then be ratified by 38 of the 50 U.S. states (a three-quarter majority). The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses A US state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of the United States of America that share Sovereignty with the federal government On June 22, 2005, a flag burning amendment was passed by the House with the needed two thirds majority. Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States House of Representatives is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. On June 27, 2006, the most recent attempt to pass a ban on flag burning was rejected by the Senate in a close vote of 66 in favor, 34 opposed, one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to send the amendment to be voted on by the states. Events 1358 - Republic of Dubrovnik is founded 1709 - Peter the Great defeats Charles XII of Sweden Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The United States Senate is the Upper house of the bicameral United States Congress, the Lower house being the House of Representatives ^[7]

The United States Flag Code lists many guidelines for the use and display of the flag, many of which are largely ignored. The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the Flag of the United States. For example :

• "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform"
• The flag "should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper".

American sports teams often wear an American flag on their uniforms. A uniform is a set of standard Clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity ^[8]

The ritualized burning of the American flag is considered an appropriate way to dispose of a damaged or soiled flag. Flags are burned in retirement ceremonies by the American Legion, Boy Scouts,^[9] The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the American Legion. For other uses of American Legion see American Legion (disambiguation The American Legion was chartered by the U The Boy Scouts of America ( BSA) is the largest youth organization in the United States with over five million The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR is a lineage -based membership organization of women dedicated to promoting Historic preservation, Education ^[10]

An upside-down U. S. flag at a Washington, D.C. protest against the Iraq War. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign

Flying an American flag upside down is not necessarily meant as political protest. The practice has its origin in a military distress signal; displaying a flag in this manner is "a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property" [16]; it has been used by extension to make a statement about distress in civic, political, or other areas. Upside-down flying of the flag was ruled constitutional in Spence v. Washington, a 1974 Supreme Court ruling. [17]

• TATTERED: Investigation of an American Icon is a documentary photo essay, investigating the principle identity, misuse, commodification and desecration of the American flag in the context of the U. S. Flag Code.

Venezuela

Since the demonstrations against the refusal by the government to renew the broadcasting license of RCTV (a major TV network), the upside-down flag of Venezuela has been adopted as a symbol of protest for this and other alleged threats to civil liberties. Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional ( RCTV Internacional) is a Venezuelan cable Television network headquartered in the The flag of Venezuela dates from 1811, the beginning of that nation's struggle for independence Demonstrators claim that it is a sign of distress and a call for help. However, government and ruling-party officials insist that these are demonstrators are desecrating the flag, manipulated by the enemies of the people. An official video sharply criticizing this practice as disrespectful and traitorous was produced, and private TV networks have been ordered to transmit it for free ^[11]. Globovisión prepended to the video a statement denouncing the message as violative of the Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television, "for constituting anonymous official propaganda". Globovisión is a 24-hour television news network in Venezuela. The Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television ( Ley de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y Televisión, known as the LRS or the Ley Resorte

See also

• Civil religion
• Flag etiquette
• Flag Desecration Amendment
• Free speech

Notes

1. ^ "Richard the Lionheart", by J. The intended meaning of the term civil religion often varies according to whether one is a sociologist of religion or a professional political commentator Flag protocol defines the proper placement handling and use of Flags Some countries have added certain protocols into their law system while others prefer to have "guidelines" The Flag Desecration Amendment, often referred to as the flag burning amendment, is a controversial proposed Constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without Censorship or Limitation. Gillingham, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1978, p. 176.
2. ^ "The RUC: A Force Under Fire", by Chris Ryder, London: Mandarin, 1992, p. 82
3. ^  BBC: A motion calling for the Union Flag to be flown on Parliament Buildings every day the Northern Ireland Assembly meets has been defeated 6 June 2000
4. ^  Finnish flag law in finlex
   • Flagging concern: the controversy over flags and emblems by Robin Wilson, Democratic Dialogue July 2000
   • ".DOC" format: Flags Regulations

References

External links

• The Flag Burning Page
• USA Flag Burning Archive
• Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports regarding the flag
• TATTERED: Investigation of an American Icon is a documentary photo essay, investigating the principle identity, misuse, commodification and desecration of the American flag in the context of the U. Globovisión is a 24-hour television news network in Venezuela. S. Flag Code.
• Would prohibiting the desecration of the US flag limit free speech?
• Flag-burning from your armchair, a flag-burning parody.
• Flag-Burning: a Detriment to the Oceanian Way, a satire by Alexander S. Peak
• Flag amendment fails by one vote
• Flag Burning video
• Citizen's Flag alliance; reports of flag burning in 2006
• Pictures of George Bush standing on an American flag: [18], [19]
• Burn the flag online
• Belgian flag dragged through the street during a demonstration