this post was submitted on 11 Dec 2024
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Summary

Michael Snow Jr., 24, has been charged with destruction of federal property for burning an American flag during protests against Israeli PM Netanyahu’s July speech to Congress.

Demonstrators, opposing Netanyahu’s stance on the Gaza war, removed flags at Union Station, spray-painted a Columbus monument, and raised Palestinian flags.

Federal authorities claim Snow used lighter fluid to ignite the flag. Cleanup and repairs cost over $11,000.

The protest permit was revoked due to lack of organizer communication.

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[–] [email protected] 82 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Charged because he stole the flag he burned. Burning a flag itself is not a crime.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Charged because he destroyed federal property.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago

Right. That's my point. It wasn't his flag to burn. That's why it was a crime. Destroying a flag that belongs to you isn't against the law.

[–] [email protected] 75 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

To be extra clear, burning an American flag that you purchase or otherwise own is legal, first-amendment-protected free speech. Burning someone else's American flag is not. This person allegedly took down federally-owned flags and burned them, hence destruction of federal property.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago

And worse, the only reason to not make that clear in the headline is for clicks.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

That's better. The idea that burning a piece of cloth should be a criminal offence is an absolute madness.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

The criminal offense here is still burning a piece of cloth.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago

A piece of cloth that you don't own.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

Talk about burying the lede!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago