Background
What is the name of the individual who burnt the American Flag
Gregory Lee Johnson
What did Johnson argue that the first amendment protected?
The right to criticize, challenge, and offend
What was the final vote of the supreme court decision?
5-4 in favor of Gregory Lee Johnson
True or False: The ruling in the Texas V. Johnson case fortified the public trust in the supreme court?
False: the public questioned the legitimacy of the court
What slogan was being chanted when Johnson was burning the flag
"America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you"
What type of speech did johnson argue that his actions where a form of?
Symbolic Speech
What did the court held when ruling in this case
That burning the American flag was a form of "symbolic speech"
What precedent did the Texas V. Johnson case establish?
The government cannot prohibit speech based on its content or viewpoint, even if its offensive
Why did Johnson Burn the American flag?
To protest against the policies of former president Ronald Regan and the Republican party.
Under what specific condition is burning a flag allowed?
When the flag is worn out, damaged, or burned in a specific way
Who was the Justice that wrote the majority opinion for the court.
Justice William Brennan
How did congress try to solve the public outcry that this case created?
By enacting the Flag Protection Act of 1989
What city in Texas did the burning of the flag occur?
The Republic National Convenction in Dallas, Texas.
In how many states is burning the flag illegal
48 out of 50, including texas
What flaw was highlighted in Texas by the Supreme Court
The biased viewpoint, when to allow flag burning and when to not
What is the Flag Protection Act of 1989
Make it a federal crime to burn, mutilate, or physically defile the American flag.
What is the initial sentence that Johnson received?
He was sentenced to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2000
True or False: Johnson was solely punished for his action of burning the flag
False: He was punished for the message and motive behind it.
What did the Supreme court did not take in consideration when determining the outcome of this case
The viewpoint of the public
What supreme court case struck down the Flag Protection Act of 1989?
United States v. Eichman (1990)