Texas Vs Johnson Case Study

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The decision of Texas v. Johnson was a controversial case that . In this case, Gregory Johnson burned the American flag as a form of protest against Reagan administration policies. Authorities convicted Johnson under a Texas law that prohibited the desecration of a national flag. Johnson’s conviction was a direct violation of freedom of expression which is protected under the First Amendment. According to the First Amendment, “ Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech;or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” The right to freedom of expression is one of the fundamental rights of an American. The Texas state government clearly attempted to infringe upon this right due to their opposition of Johnson’s symbolic speech. Although certain display of expression may anger or offend some people, Americans are permitted to fully exercise their rights. …show more content…
Johnson, along with other demonstrators marched through Dallas, chanting political slogans. In the midst of the protest, Johnson was handed an American flag from another protester. At the conclusion of the protest, in Dallas City Hall, Gregory Johnson unraveled the flag and drenched it in kerosene, setting it on fire. The demonstrators shouted, “ America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you”, as they watched it burn. Several witnesses were offended and angered by his actions. However, no one was injured or threatened by the demonstration. Authorities charged Johnson with the desecration of a state or national flag. He was convicted and received a one-year prison sentence, and fined