Thread: NV: ACLU DEFENDS RIGHT OF MEXICAN FLAG IN RENO

RENO

Nevada ACLU Releases Statement on Mexican Flag Flying Over American Flag



Oct 3, 2007 11:42 AM PDT


The ACLU of Nevada is concerned about recent media reports that it is "illegal" to fly foreign flags over the U.S. flag.

While there is indeed a federal law regulating the display of the U.S. flag, that law is merely advisory and simply codifies standard government practice in displaying the American flag.

Several federal courts have examined this law and held that the flag rules are not mandatory and cannot be enforced. Indeed, if the federal flag rules were mandatory, they would clearly violate the First Amendment, which protects every American's right to speak and express themselves, including their choice of flag to display.

In 1989, the Supreme Court held that we even have the right to burn our own flag, which had been outlawed by 48 states. Our robust and meaningful democracy is built upon our First Amendment, which protects our right to express ourselves even when - indeed, particularly when - that expression is distasteful or unpopular.

We at the ACLU wholeheartedly support the First Amendment rights of all, and this includes the right of the press to publish stories as they see fit. Of course, this right necessarily means that sometimes the media may get it wrong.

However, we urge the media to take the opportunity to correct misinformation, especially about our rights and the criminal law.

The media is a powerful tool in informing the public, and this is an opportunity to tell the world that the First Amendment is alive and well, and protects everyone's right to fly whatever flag they wish on their property.

http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7163998

The man who hung the flags in this manner had to have known that it was an insult to Americans. That's called inciting violence and the flags were an attractive nuisance. Hold him to account for his actions.

The ACLU of Nevada is concerned about recent media reports that it is "illegal" to fly foreign flags over the U.S. flag.

Of course they do. What doesn't the ACLU deem unconstitutional when it breaks the law?

i couldn't even read this article... all i know is the last tax money spent on the aclu is the slow boat tickets to somewhere far, far away.....

F the ACLU!!

DITTO "MAD"

Maybe they should try defending constitutional rights for a change? How about suing San Francisco for trying to stop Michael Savage from expressing his politiical views and for trying to limit the publics on air access to those political views!

Yea! Maybe they should go after the Oakland Airport for insulting and violating our troops rights? Some only wanted into the terminal to take a leak! Where is the ACLU when you need them?

FedupDeb – your pic hits the nail on the head!!

During the May 1 illegal alien marches last year in our small town someone I know was going to torch a Mexican flag along their parade route. The local Police told him if he does they would arrest him for inciting a riot! Where was the ACLU then?

Seems they love the Mexican flag more than the American one.