Texas V. Johnson. The Case Texas V. Johnson Happened In

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 the policies of the Reagan Administration. While they were marching through the streets, another demonstrator handed Johnson an American flag. Johnson set the flag on fire when they reached Dallas City Hall, where the Convention was held. After their protest, Johnson was arrested and†¦show more content†¦Brenna. It indicated that the Court agreed with Johnson that flag burning constitutes a form of â€Å"symbolic speech† that is protected by the First Amendment. And the Court disagreed with Texas’ argument that Jo hnson’s action breaches of the peace. What’s more, it emphasized that the state may not discriminate upon different view point. Justice John Paul Steven also wrote a dissenting opinion, arguing the national flag is a valuable asset, and Johnson’s action belittled the value of this important national symbol (Texas v. Johnson, LII / Legal Information Institute). This case did not change or add any amendments, but the first amendment played a big role in it. The First Amendment guarantees the rights of free expression and action that are fundamental to democratic government, These rights include freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech (First Amendment, Dictionary.com). It protects people’s freedom of speech, and emphasize the right of symbolic speech as well, This case remains relevant today, and it is still a controversial issue. Because under the first amendment, people have the freedom of speech. The Court supports the flag burning is the same as other legal forms of symbolic speech, such as sit-ins and wearing armbands. After this case, several laws and statutes had been brought up to make desecrating the flag a federal crime; but ultimately, all of them were stuck down. Most recently,Show MoreRelatedThe 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. 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