Hi, I just saw the current protests that surged due to Netanyahus speech in the US. I’m just curious to know why the authorities permit them burning the American flag and vandalism of monuments.
How do freedom of speech laws work in the United States and where’s the line drawn to the action one can take when protesting.
My goal isn’t to discuss politics, so abstain from taking the thread to that direction.
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Burning the American flag is a generally recognized form of protest against the us government and protected under free speech laws. It may be frowned upon and strongly discouraged by mainstream society, but it is permissible under the First Amendment.
[US Supreme Court allows US flag burning.](https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/when-the-supreme-court-ruled-to-allow-american-flag-burning) as long as the flag is privately owned by the person burning it. If you steal a flag to burn it, you could be charged with theft and destruction of property.
Vandalism of monuments and destruction of property have always been illegal.
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