By Jonathan Westmoreland

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Texas v. Johnson 1989
By Jonathan Westmoreland
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What are the facts of the case?What is
the constitutional issue before the US Supreme
Court?What was the Supreme Courts ruling in
Texas v. Johnson ??
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Gregory Lee Johnson
Gregory Lee Johnson was a white male who was
caught, out of 100 participants, burning an
American flag. Strangely, only Johnson was
charged with the crime.
Gregory.
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Facts of the Case

• 1984, in front of the Dallas City Hall, Gregory
  Johnson burned an American Flag as a way to
  protest the Reagan administration policies.
• Johnson was tried and convicted under Texas law,
  which says flag desecration is illegal.
• He went to jail for 1 year with a 2,000 fine.
• The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed this
  earlier decision.
• The case was taken to the Supreme Court.

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The Issue
Is the desecration, of an American flag a form
of speech which is protected under the
Constitution?
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Here are some Political Cartoons on Flag-Burning.
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(No Transcript)
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Conclusion

• The Supreme Courts decision was 5-4 in Johnsons
  favor. They said that his flag burning was
  protected under the 1st Amendment.