Teacher Accused of Stomping on American Flag in Front of Students
May 21, 2015
As seen on Fox and Friends
An Illinois town is in an uproar after a teacher allegedly stomped on a flag in front of his students.
Two parents of children at Martinsville High School were on “Fox and Friends” this morning to discuss the ordeal.
Gina Gibson said that the unnamed teacher was using the American flag as a pointer in the classroom, even though students objected to the flag being used in that manner.
She said the students cautioned the teacher not to let Old Glory touch the floor, and that’s when he stomped on the flag, telling his students that it was his right to do so.
Gibson said that some students – her son included – were sent to the office to be given detention for refusing to lift their heads off of their desks following the teacher's actions.
read more here
Showing posts with label American flag. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American flag. Show all posts
Friday, May 22, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Air Force Veteran Showed Disrespect for Flag On Her
There are more pictures online but Manhart clearly had no problem disrespecting the flag, before she decided to stop someone else from doing it. Oh, by the way,it seems she uploaded the video herself according to the YouTube video "Published on Apr 18, 2015
Video courtesy of Michelle Manhart: https://www.facebook.com/Californiasu..."
Air Force Times
By Jeff Schogol, Staff writer
April 20, 2015
"They said, 'If you release it to us, we will not give it back to them,'" Manhart said. "I disagreed with that wholeheartedly. There were other people's hands on it as well that belonged with the organization, so, of course I wasn't going to let go, because if I did, it would have been in their hands again."
Manhart felt the need to take the flag from the demonstrators because she was outraged at how they were treating what she sees as an iconic symbol of freedom.
"We drape that flag over many coffins over the men and women that unfortunately don't get to come home the way they left; over our firefighters, our police officers, a lot of our civil servants," Manhart said. "If you're walking on that flag, then you're also walking on their caskets and you're walking on everything they stood for and you have no respect for the freedom that they have fought to make sure that you can have."
As part of a campaign for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals years ago, Manhart posed nude while draped in the American flag. She said that the picture was meant as a sign of respect for the flag.
read more here
Air Force vet scuffles with police over American flagMichelle Manhart (Photo: File photo courtesy PETA)
Air Force Times
By Jeff Schogol, Staff writer
April 20, 2015
"They said, 'If you release it to us, we will not give it back to them,'" Manhart said. "I disagreed with that wholeheartedly. There were other people's hands on it as well that belonged with the organization, so, of course I wasn't going to let go, because if I did, it would have been in their hands again."
Manhart felt the need to take the flag from the demonstrators because she was outraged at how they were treating what she sees as an iconic symbol of freedom.
"We drape that flag over many coffins over the men and women that unfortunately don't get to come home the way they left; over our firefighters, our police officers, a lot of our civil servants," Manhart said. "If you're walking on that flag, then you're also walking on their caskets and you're walking on everything they stood for and you have no respect for the freedom that they have fought to make sure that you can have."
As part of a campaign for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals years ago, Manhart posed nude while draped in the American flag. She said that the picture was meant as a sign of respect for the flag.
read more here
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Getting Steamed Over Newborn in Flag Doesn't Make Sense
Is photo of baby in flag patriotic or disgraceful?
FOX News
March 12, 2015
read more here
My take is simple. It looks like a nylon flag that was probably made in China. Besides, if "patriotic folks" can put on shirts with the stars and stripes, then why should there a problem with this?
It reminded me of this picture take a long time ago.
And here's another one from Vanessa Hicks
Vanessa Hicks Photography
Seems like folks are a lot more steamed up over a new life in a flag than they are about thousands of veterans being laid to rest with a flag over their coffin because we didn't honor them when it really mattered.
FOX News
March 12, 2015
Hicks said she was “heartbroken” over the response but refused to back down, adding the parents of the baby were both current and former members of the military and that she had received requests from other military members for similar pictures.
read more here
My take is simple. It looks like a nylon flag that was probably made in China. Besides, if "patriotic folks" can put on shirts with the stars and stripes, then why should there a problem with this?
It reminded me of this picture take a long time ago.
Seems like folks are a lot more steamed up over a new life in a flag than they are about thousands of veterans being laid to rest with a flag over their coffin because we didn't honor them when it really mattered.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Community Honors Flag Removal Order By Supporting Veteran
Community supports veteran forced to take down flag pole
WBIR News
Leslie Ackerson
February 15, 2015
(WBIR) The American flag is a symbol of pride, patriotism and freedom. For 24-year Air Force Veteran Delia Foster, it was a symbol she wanted to proudly display in her front yard.
However, she said her homeowner's association is making her take down the flag pole where she flew the stars and stripes.
The association told Foster she could fly a flag from her porch, but not from the pole in her yard.
Family, friends and even strangers gathered Saturday afternoon in support to watch the flag fly for one last time.
All eyes were fixed on a familiar American symbol as it was carefully taken down.
"That was emotional for me that definitely was," said Delia Foster.
It was the last time Delia foster's flag would fly high above her home.
"What a lot of people don't realize is, military we are all family. We've met each other or not we are all family." said Kirk Kinamon.
A military man himself, Kinamon showed up after seeing something about the event on Facebook.
He brought a flag of his own, and ended up giving it to Foster to put on her front porch.
read more here
WBIR News
Leslie Ackerson
February 15, 2015
(WBIR) The American flag is a symbol of pride, patriotism and freedom. For 24-year Air Force Veteran Delia Foster, it was a symbol she wanted to proudly display in her front yard.
However, she said her homeowner's association is making her take down the flag pole where she flew the stars and stripes.
The association told Foster she could fly a flag from her porch, but not from the pole in her yard.
Family, friends and even strangers gathered Saturday afternoon in support to watch the flag fly for one last time.
All eyes were fixed on a familiar American symbol as it was carefully taken down.
"That was emotional for me that definitely was," said Delia Foster.
It was the last time Delia foster's flag would fly high above her home.
"What a lot of people don't realize is, military we are all family. We've met each other or not we are all family." said Kirk Kinamon.
A military man himself, Kinamon showed up after seeing something about the event on Facebook.
He brought a flag of his own, and ended up giving it to Foster to put on her front porch.
read more here
Monday, April 7, 2014
Iraq Marine Veteran, 3 tours, has to take down flags?
Vet threatened with eviction if he doesn’t remove U.S. flag, Marine flag from apartment balcony
The Trucker News Services
4/7/2014
Manuel E. Vega, a Marine Corps. veteran who served three combat tours in Iraq, says he faces possible eviction from his apartment if he does not remove two flags — one U.S. flag and one Marine Corps flag — from his balcony.
The Salem Run Apartment Homes in Fredericksburg, Va., initially warned Vega about the flags, then said they would be willing to work something out, but, Vega told Examiner.com Thursday, nothing has been done and the complex has not backed down.
Vega told Examiner he has been flying the flags since October, but apartment managers recently decided to take action.
A notice warning Vega about the flags was tacked to his front door, he said.
"Although we appreciate and commend your patriotism, as a reminder per your lease agreement, you cannot have anything attached to the railing or any part of the building," the warning letter, dated March 21, said.
read more here
The Trucker News Services
4/7/2014
Manuel E. Vega, a Marine Corps. veteran who served three combat tours in Iraq, says he faces possible eviction from his apartment if he does not remove two flags — one U.S. flag and one Marine Corps flag — from his balcony.
The Salem Run Apartment Homes in Fredericksburg, Va., initially warned Vega about the flags, then said they would be willing to work something out, but, Vega told Examiner.com Thursday, nothing has been done and the complex has not backed down.
Vega told Examiner he has been flying the flags since October, but apartment managers recently decided to take action.
A notice warning Vega about the flags was tacked to his front door, he said.
"Although we appreciate and commend your patriotism, as a reminder per your lease agreement, you cannot have anything attached to the railing or any part of the building," the warning letter, dated March 21, said.
read more here
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Protesting at the VA with upside down flag is wrong
Did this group think of the other veterans going to the VA for medical treatments? Did they think that their actions for the sake of homeless veterans would actually emotionally harm other veterans?
This is VA property. It is not privately own. A person can do what they want on their own property but everywhere else, there are rules. Even on a city street there are rules to protect the rest of the public.
Their cause was for good reasons but what they did was wrong considering where they did it.
Judge Johnnie Rawlinson wrote "This veteran has earned the right to exercise the full spectrum of First Amendment protections, we should not whisk away those rights with the flick of a pen.” But it would have been great if the rights of other veterans mattered as well. They were entering VA property that is supposed to be there for them because they served this country under the flag used as a prop during a protest.
This is VA property. It is not privately own. A person can do what they want on their own property but everywhere else, there are rules. Even on a city street there are rules to protect the rest of the public.
Their cause was for good reasons but what they did was wrong considering where they did it.
Judge Johnnie Rawlinson wrote "This veteran has earned the right to exercise the full spectrum of First Amendment protections, we should not whisk away those rights with the flick of a pen.” But it would have been great if the rights of other veterans mattered as well. They were entering VA property that is supposed to be there for them because they served this country under the flag used as a prop during a protest.
On flag protests, court takes the VA’s word
San Francisco Gate
By Bob Egelko
Posted on Friday, March 14, 2014
The Department of Veterans Affairs has rules prohibiting the “posting of materials” on its property without prior approval. But when a group of veterans draped a U.S. flag on a fence outside the VA’s health facility in West Los Angeles as part of a weekly protest, officials had no objections — until the the vets started hanging the flag upside down, and were promptly threatened with criminal prosecution.
The protesters responded with a First Amendment lawsuit, claiming viewpoint discrimination, and the VA then pledged to enforce its rules uniformly — a promise that didn’t satisfy the protest leader, but was good enough for a majority on a federal appeals court panel.
“We presume that the government acts in good faith,” Judge Jay Bybee said Friday in a 2-1 ruling of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that denied an injunction against the VA. If the agency goes back on its word, Bybee said, the veterans — who have already won a ruling that the previous practice was discriminatory — can go back to court.
All that means, said American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Peter Eliasberg, is that the govrnment can violate someone’s rights and get away with it. “If you have a right,” he said, “you should have a remedy.”
Eliasberg’s client, Robert Rosebrock, is the leader of a group of veterans who have held protests every Sunday since March 2008 against the VA’s refusal to allow homeless veterans on a lawn inside the locked fence of its 400-acre facility in West Los Angeles. Eliasberg said the agency has rented some of its property to a car rental company and a private laundry while homeless vets sleep on the streets outside.
read more here
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Fort Carson finished investigation in flag case
Fort Carson Completes Soldier Selfie Investigation
KKTV News
March 7, 2014
"The investigation into the social media incident concerning a Fort Carson soldier is complete. The unit commander addressed the situation consistent with his authority. It is not the policy of the United States Army to disclose the results of administrative actions."
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Soldier refuses to salute flag then brags on Instagram
UPDATE
Fort Carson Investigating Viral Soldier Picture
Soldier flagrantly avoids flag salute, sets off online outrage
Army Times
By Tony Lombardo
Staff writer
February 25, 2014
A female soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
The image was distributed via Facebook and also sent to Army Times. Angry service members, Gold Star mothers and spouses have called for the soldier’s removal from service.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
read more here
Fort Carson Investigating Viral Soldier Picture
Army Times
By Tony Lombardo
Staff writer
February 25, 2014
A female soldier who hid in her car to avoid saluting the flag — and then flaunted it on Instagram — is the latest service member to come under attack via social media and be accused of dishonoring her service.
Pfc. Tariqka Sheffey, whose Instagram handle is “sheffeynation,” posted a selfie with a caption that reads:
“This is me laying back in my car hiding so I don’t have to salute the 1700 flag, KEEP ALL YOUR ‘THATS SO DISRESPECTFUL/HOWRUDE/ETC.’ COMMENTS TO YOURSELF cuz, right now, IDGAFFFF.”
The image was distributed via Facebook and also sent to Army Times. Angry service members, Gold Star mothers and spouses have called for the soldier’s removal from service.
“Any soldier who refuses to salute the flag is in the military for the wrong reason, and should be removed by dishonorable discharge with loss of all benefits,” one Facebook commenter said. “If they won’t salute it, they damn sure won’t fight for it.”
read more here
Sunday, February 23, 2014
US Military Bases to Be "Made in American" Flags
47 minutes ago
US flags at military bases must be 100% American made
USA Today
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Published: February 23, 2014
Here's a Stars and Stripes shocker: Prior to Friday, flags bought by the Department of Defense weren't necessarily 100% American made.
But going forward, flags purchased by the military must be wholly sourced from the U.S. -- and not have any elements from overseas, according to a Department of Defense purchasing rules amendment that went into effect Friday.
While the Department of Defense's major flag vendors are American companies, the flag material -- such as ink and fabric -- could have come from foreign markets prior to the change.
"Our men (and) women in uniform should serve under American-made flags," Congressman Mike Thompson, D-Calif., said on his Facebook page last week.
He proposed the legislation requiring the flags to be 100% American made.
In that post, he also gave a nod to flag company North Bay Industries in Rohnert Park, Calif., which produces flags that are wholly American made. "Our tax dollars should be spent on American-made flags like those at NBI," he said.
In that post, he also gave a nod to flag company North Bay Industries in Rohnert Park, Calif., which produces flags that are wholly American made. "Our tax dollars should be spent on American-made flags like those at NBI," he said.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Iraq veteran surprised with 17-foot American flag
Iraq veteran surprised with 17-foot American flag
KSDK
Mike Bush
December 12, 2013
WOOD RIVER, Ill. (KSDK)- On Ferguson Avenue Thursday, the Wood River Fire Department showed up to show thanks.
Dr. Michael Harbison was being honored with a gift. A special American Flag.
"Operation let it wave gratefully acknowledges Dr. Michael S. Harbison, "read Rodney Cook from a proclamation.
Harbison is a Chiropractor. He's also a veteran.
He was in Alpha Company 269 and a part of the original invasion of Iraq in 2003.
"We spent 23 days in consecutive combat, "Harbison said.
Since coming home, he helped raise money for various veteran's organizations and given discounts to any veteran who walks into his business. That's why he was recognized by "Operation: Let it Wave".
read more here
KSDK
Mike Bush
December 12, 2013
WOOD RIVER, Ill. (KSDK)- On Ferguson Avenue Thursday, the Wood River Fire Department showed up to show thanks.
Dr. Michael Harbison was being honored with a gift. A special American Flag.
"Operation let it wave gratefully acknowledges Dr. Michael S. Harbison, "read Rodney Cook from a proclamation.
Harbison is a Chiropractor. He's also a veteran.
He was in Alpha Company 269 and a part of the original invasion of Iraq in 2003.
"We spent 23 days in consecutive combat, "Harbison said.
Since coming home, he helped raise money for various veteran's organizations and given discounts to any veteran who walks into his business. That's why he was recognized by "Operation: Let it Wave".
read more here
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
VIetnam Veteran catches creeps taking down flag on video
Surveillance Video Catches Vandals Tearing Down Veteran's American Flag
Plano man would like to teach vandals meaning of flag
NBC
By Scott Gordon
Monday, Oct 21, 2013
A Navy veteran from Plano wants to find the three young men who tore down the American flag in his front yard to teach them a lesson about what the flag means.
Larry Lorance said it happened early Friday morning at about 12:30 am.
"Being a Vietnam veteran, that really upsets me," he said.
The vandals were caught on a surveillance camera he recently installed on his roof. The video shows what appear to be three teenagers tearing down the flag, along with the metal sculpture on which it was mounted.
Lorance posted the surveillance video on YouTube but hasn't called the police, saying they have more important crimes to solve.
check here for updates
Plano man would like to teach vandals meaning of flag
NBC
By Scott Gordon
Monday, Oct 21, 2013
A Navy veteran from Plano wants to find the three young men who tore down the American flag in his front yard to teach them a lesson about what the flag means.
Larry Lorance said it happened early Friday morning at about 12:30 am.
"Being a Vietnam veteran, that really upsets me," he said.
The vandals were caught on a surveillance camera he recently installed on his roof. The video shows what appear to be three teenagers tearing down the flag, along with the metal sculpture on which it was mounted.
Lorance posted the surveillance video on YouTube but hasn't called the police, saying they have more important crimes to solve.
check here for updates
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Injured Afghanistan Vet Told She Can’t Fly American Flag
UPDATE
Injured Afghanistan Vet Now Being Allowed To Fly Her American Flag As-Is
Injured Afghanistan Vet Now Being Allowed To Fly Her American Flag As-Is
Injured Afghanistan Vet Told She Can’t Fly American Flag At Apartment
CBS Sacramento
Reporting Anjali Hemphill
July 27, 2013
CITRUS HEIGHTS (CBS13) — An injured veteran of the war in Afghanistan has been told to take down the American flag she has flying from her balcony by her apartment’s management company.
Jen Elliot was shocked when she found a notice on her front door. It’s from her property management company asking her to remove an American flag from her balcony, along with some other items.
“I was very upset and very offended by it,” she said. “We live in America. Why shouldn’t we fly our flag proudly?”
Elliot says she immediately checked her lease to see if she was in fact violating any rules.
“It does say you cannot have flags, plants or wind chimes. However, it does say that the American flag can be displayed within the laws of the state and proper flag etiquette. And mine is.”
After CBS13 went to the property manager, the rental company called Elliot to say she can fly her flag—it just can’t stay where it’s at. The flag can’t be screwed into the siding of her balcony.
read more here
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Iraq veteran's shocked by giant American flag at solid waste station
Veteran discovers giant American flag in trash
WAOW.com
By Donovan Hill, Multimedia Journalist
Posted: Jul 23, 2013
TOWN OF PLOVER (WAOW)
Imagine finding a giant American flag in the garbage, beaten up, torn, and dirty.
That's what happened to Al Tessmann, a veteran of the Iraq war.
Tessmann discovered the flag while unloading trash at a the Portage County Solid Waste Transfer Facility.
"To my surprise there was this flag amongst all of the garbage," said Tessmann.
Upset at the sight he rescued the flag that he once fought for.
"For me you know, it was like finding a fallen comrade," added Tessmann.
He brought it to the V.F.W. post in Plover.
read more here
UPDATE
Really angry over this story. This is how patriots treat flags. Watch the video and see how they respect and honor the flag.
WAOW.com
By Donovan Hill, Multimedia Journalist
Posted: Jul 23, 2013
TOWN OF PLOVER (WAOW)
Imagine finding a giant American flag in the garbage, beaten up, torn, and dirty.
That's what happened to Al Tessmann, a veteran of the Iraq war.
Tessmann discovered the flag while unloading trash at a the Portage County Solid Waste Transfer Facility.
"To my surprise there was this flag amongst all of the garbage," said Tessmann.
Upset at the sight he rescued the flag that he once fought for.
"For me you know, it was like finding a fallen comrade," added Tessmann.
He brought it to the V.F.W. post in Plover.
read more here
UPDATE
Really angry over this story. This is how patriots treat flags. Watch the video and see how they respect and honor the flag.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Winter Park Scottish Rite Masonic Center Flag Ceremony
Orlando Scottish Rite Masonic Center and the Knights of St. Andrews held their ceremony for over 6,000 American Flags in Winter Park today. The VFW Post 4287 as usual provided a wonderful music selection for about 100 guests and honorees.
Rich Wirth Jr. gave a moving speech about the flag along with others speaking about what the flag means. Oakridge High School JROTC presented the POW-MIA Remembrance ceremony.
This is some of what happened during the service.
Rich Wirth Jr. gave a moving speech about the flag along with others speaking about what the flag means. Oakridge High School JROTC presented the POW-MIA Remembrance ceremony.
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Winter Park Scottish Rite Flag Ceremony |
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| Apopka Police Department |
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| Masons |
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| Roger Sutton |
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| VFW Band |
This is some of what happened during the service.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Flag Day to honor to most, tablecloth to HGTV?
HGTV: You Can Use a Flag as a Tablecloth
Spouse and Family News
by Amy Bushatz
June 13, 2013
“The last time I saw an American flag draped on anything was a coffin returning a fallen troop to his/her family.”
That’s what gold star mom Karen Meredith, whose son Lt. Ken Ballard was killed in Iraq in 2004, wrote to HGTV after they ran the post “Classic Fourth of July Table Setting Ideas” on their website.
“HGTV, boy did you mess up when you used the American flag as a tablecloth,” she wrote. “As the mother of a fallen soldier, I am offended that the American flag means so little to HGTV.”
The post, which has since been removed from their site, featured an American flag draped over the table as a table runner with a festive spread of colorful plates, food and flowers on top.
“Drape a large American flag over the table as a bright and festive table runner. Use a nylon flag so spills can be easily wiped off and the flag can later be hung with pride on a flag pole,” they advised.
You can see one of the photos here (we aren’t permitted to run them due to copyright restrictions).
Anyone familiar with American flag etiquette will immediately know what is wrong with this picture. Not only are they using an actual flag as decoration — but bonus! — they find it’s virtually spill proof and – double bonus! – it can be repurposed as a festive front yard decoration.
read more here
Spouse and Family News
by Amy Bushatz
June 13, 2013
“The last time I saw an American flag draped on anything was a coffin returning a fallen troop to his/her family.”
That’s what gold star mom Karen Meredith, whose son Lt. Ken Ballard was killed in Iraq in 2004, wrote to HGTV after they ran the post “Classic Fourth of July Table Setting Ideas” on their website.
“HGTV, boy did you mess up when you used the American flag as a tablecloth,” she wrote. “As the mother of a fallen soldier, I am offended that the American flag means so little to HGTV.”
The post, which has since been removed from their site, featured an American flag draped over the table as a table runner with a festive spread of colorful plates, food and flowers on top.
“Drape a large American flag over the table as a bright and festive table runner. Use a nylon flag so spills can be easily wiped off and the flag can later be hung with pride on a flag pole,” they advised.
You can see one of the photos here (we aren’t permitted to run them due to copyright restrictions).
Anyone familiar with American flag etiquette will immediately know what is wrong with this picture. Not only are they using an actual flag as decoration — but bonus! — they find it’s virtually spill proof and – double bonus! – it can be repurposed as a festive front yard decoration.
read more here
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Judge rules veteran had right to fly flag upside down
Judge Rules for Vet Who Flew Flag Upside Down
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jun 12, 2013
A federal judge has ruled in favor of a former Crivitz man who flew an American flag upside down to protest the village's denial of a liquor license for his supper club. Citing fears that angry parade goers might harm Vito Congine Jr. or damage his club, police went on his property and confiscated the flag on July 4, 2009.
Congine sued, and late last month Chief U.S. District Judge William Griesbach ruled in Congine's favor.
"There must be more than the mere potential for a breach of the peace to justify censorship of expressive conduct," Griesbach wrote in a 21-page order.
"While it may be a good practice for law enforcement officers to envision worst case scenarios, they cannot intrude on protected speech on the basis of such scenarios, absent a clear and present danger.
"If the mere possibility of violence is sufficient to justify government intrusion, this essential freedom can become little more than a mirage."
Griesbach found that the village had violated Congine's constitutional rights, but that Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey, who had advised Crivitiz police by phone that they should take down the flag if a riot was the alternative, had qualified immunity from liability.
read more here
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jun 12, 2013
A federal judge has ruled in favor of a former Crivitz man who flew an American flag upside down to protest the village's denial of a liquor license for his supper club. Citing fears that angry parade goers might harm Vito Congine Jr. or damage his club, police went on his property and confiscated the flag on July 4, 2009.
Congine sued, and late last month Chief U.S. District Judge William Griesbach ruled in Congine's favor.
"There must be more than the mere potential for a breach of the peace to justify censorship of expressive conduct," Griesbach wrote in a 21-page order.
"While it may be a good practice for law enforcement officers to envision worst case scenarios, they cannot intrude on protected speech on the basis of such scenarios, absent a clear and present danger.
"If the mere possibility of violence is sufficient to justify government intrusion, this essential freedom can become little more than a mirage."
Griesbach found that the village had violated Congine's constitutional rights, but that Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey, who had advised Crivitiz police by phone that they should take down the flag if a riot was the alternative, had qualified immunity from liability.
read more here
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