Gregory Lee Johnson - 950 Words

People watched in shock; Protesters and none protesters circled around as Gregory Lee Johnson lit the American Flag on fire. Why would a man disrespect a symbol such as the American flag, that represents freedom, liberty and democracy? Was he protected by the constitutions first amendment? The Supreme Court answered all these questions we had by voting in favor of Johnson. Johnsons intentions were only political, and he as the freedom of speech. The Supreme Court was correct on this decision on letting Johnson go, since he was protected by his amendments, and no matter what the action was, if the amendment gives us the right, we should be entitled to our freedoms. In August of 1984, supporters came to Dallas Texas to come to the Republican National Convention, where President Ronald Reagan was being elected to run for president for a second round. Outside of these supporters for the presidential leaders were protesters. These protesters were angry with the new Reagan Policies. Protesters marched the streets chanting Red, white, and blue, we spit on you! Kicking over flower pots, spray painting walls, and they acted out nuclear attacks. When the protesters came to the front of city hall, 100 people circled around to watch a man by the name of Gregory Lee Johnson pour kerosene over an American Flag and begin to burn it. Many people stood in awe as Johnson stood next to our desecrating flag. 45 minutes after Johnson was arrested by Texas police. The aftermath of the flagShow MoreRelated Flag-Burning is No Crime Essay1161 Words   |  5 Pagesflag, what comes to mind? One might say it shows disrespect and hatred to a country that has given so mu ch. In the case of Texas v. Johnson, Gregory Lee Johnson was accused of desecrating a sacred object, but, his actions were protected by the First Amendment. Although his actions may have been offensive, he did not utter fighting words. By burning the flag, Johnson did not infringe upon anothers natural human rights. He was simply expressing his outrage towards the government, which is within theRead MoreAmerican Desecration or Legal Articulation?693 Words   |  3 Pagesname of Gregory Lee Johnson was charged with desecrating a greatly respected object (the American Flag). His Sentence consisted of one year in prison and a $2,000 fine. Johnson was not happy with this ruling and appealed his case with two further Texas courts. Johnson’s second appeal to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which is the highest court in Texas that hears criminal cases, overturned his conviction, saying that the State, consistent with the First Amendment, could not punish Johnson for burningRea d MoreThe Opposing case of Texas v. Johnson1218 Words   |  5 PagesCourt’s decision on the case of Texas v. Johnson has been a controversial one, as it involves the burning of our national symbol, the American flag. It leads to the question: Does the desecration of the American flag a way of expressing speech that is protected by the first amendment? Shouldnt the destruction of a true American symbol be protected and preserved, as it is a symbol that represents our country? There is a great amount of criticism that Texas v. Johnson has been faced with; most of whichRead MoreEssay on Case Analysis Texas V. Johnson1292 Words   |  6 PagesUNITED STATES ________________________________________ 491 U.S. 397 Texas v. Johnson CERTIORARI TO THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TEXAS ________________________________________ No. 88-155 Argued: March 21, 1989 --- Decided: June 21, 1989 This case analysis of Texas v. Gregory Lee Johnson was a Supreme Court case that overthrew bans on damaging the American flag in 48 of the 50 states. Gregory Lee Johnson participated in a political demonstration during the 1984 Republican National ConventionRead MoreThe Flag Of The United States903 Words   |  4 Pagessymbolism, by  1932, forty-eight states had adopted the flag desecration laws to legally protect and restrict desecration of the flag of the United States. However, these  flag desecration laws only lasted until 1989, because  in 1989, in the Texas v Johnson case,  the United States Supreme Court recognized that flag desecration as a form of symbolic political speech that is constitutionally protected by First Amendment and agreed that the â€Å"government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply becauseRead MoreBurning The United States Flag1014 Words   |  5 Pagescountries flag. One citizen that participated in this was Gregory Lee Johnson. Johnson participated in a political demonstration during the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1984. The purpose of the demonstration was to protest about the policies of the Reagan Administration. During this protest, citizens marched, chanted slogans, and eventually, a chanter handed Johnson an American flag. When they reached the city hall, Johnson and a few others lit the flag on fire. While the flagRead MoreA Political Demonstration Of The Dallas City Hall1118 Words   |  5 PagesIn 1984 in front of the Dallas City Hall during the Republican National Convention, respondent Gregory Lee Johnson participated in a political demonstration to protest the policies of the Reagan administrations and some Dallas-bound corporations. Johnson proceeded with burning an American flag in protest against the policies, where Reagan sought to stimulate the economy with large tax cuts. Johnson was tried and co nvicted, under Texas law, of the desecration of a venerated object. The StateRead MoreThe Theme Of Acceptance In Shirley Jacksons The Lottery879 Words   |  4 Pagesvalues, and opinions. It can be found not only in society, but in literature and media. In â€Å"The Lottery,† by Shirley Jackson, she shows us an example of blind acceptance through her main event and desperate character, Tessie Hutchinson. In â€Å"Texas V. Johnson Majority Opinion,† by William J. Brennan, Texas expresses acceptance. Also in â€Å"What, of This Goldfish, Would You Wish,† by Etgar Keret, acceptance is interpreted through a lonesome character by the name of Sergei. All three authors focus on the subjectRead MoreOver The Past Several Decades There Has Been Numerous Discussions991 Words   |  4 Pagescase Texas v. Johnson. Gregory Lee Johnson challenged Texas state law claiming that his conviction was unconstitutional, and that his first amendment right to free speech were infr inged upon. In 1984, Gregory Johnson burned the American flag outside the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas (U.S. Courts, n.d.) According to the June 1995 House of Representatives report, Johnson burned a stolen American flag out of political protest of President Ronald Reagan. Johnson was arrested andRead MoreThe Case Texas V. Johnson782 Words   |  4 PagesAngel Deng Ms. Crouse US Government Period 6 Texas v. Johnson The case Texas v. Johnson happened in 1984, Gregory Lee Johnson burned an American flag to protest President Ronald Reagan in front of the convention center in Dallas, Texas. He was a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade (Texas v. Johnson in 1989: Summary, Decision Significance, Stephen Benz). During the 1984 Republican National Convention, he participated in a political demonstration. The demonstrators were protesting