Burning Old Glory on Independence Day is a felony in Illinois

Apparently the Urbana Police Department isn't a fan of Supreme Court precedent:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/fernandoalfonso/2016/07/04/illinois-man-charged-with-desecrating-american-flag-after-posting-photos-on-facebook/

 

Good Lord.

“It’s when you say things that are inciteful and make it clear that you are associated with someone that doesn’t share your ideas; it got raised to a level where a reasonable person there would fear for their safety. It’s similar to yelling fire in a movie theater. ... Concerns have to be balanced. This wasn’t an issue with anyone at the police department being personally offended by his speech. But the reaction that it was gathering, and the concern for the safety of all involved forced us into a reaction.”

 

So, who took down his Facebook page?

 

So according to the story, the police took this guy into custody because they received numerous calls from callers concerned about his safety and theirs.

So who else would feel threatened by a Facebook post of a guy burning a flag?

Not me. And I don't even have a handgun to protect myself from burning flags or angry anti-flag burning protesters.

And wouldn't the police be better servers and protectors if they maybe took into custody anyone actually threatening or harming the flag burning guy?

 

The prosecutor decided not to file charges. Very strange:

UPDATE: Urbana flag-burner won't be charged

 

I think whoever wrote the Urbana police department's press release should be arrested. Please explain how a Facebook post of a guy burning a flag puts "the safety of innocent and uninvolved citizens at risk."

I can see it now.

"You're under arrest."

"What for?"

"Some innocent and uninvolved citizen may get hurt."

 

Every time YF, Sunshine, et al., shriek that we don't care about Second Amendment rights and, by proxy, the Constitution and freedom, I will bring up their myriad contributions to this thread.

 

I'm confused. Does myriad mean the same as zero?

 

Synonym for "lyrical." Keep up, wouldja?

 

I've been quite impressed by @YankeeFan's contribution to this thread, as bullish as he is on Constitutional rights and freedom.

 

LOL. Hadn't clicked on the thread until you summoned me.

Pretty dumb.

But, hey, maybe we have a basis to the burqa.

Also reminded me of this:



Flag burners are mostly idiots.

 

We don't have a "basis to the burqa."

Barney Fife does not get to overturn settled Supreme Court law.