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The protest permit was revoked due to lack of organizer communication.

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[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 82 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

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

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Charged because he destroyed federal property.

[–] themeatbridge@lemmy.world 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.

[–] ignirtoq@fedia.io 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.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago

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

[–] FelixCress@lemmy.world 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.

[–] technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

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

[–] Limitless_screaming@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

A piece of cloth that you don't own.

[–] JackbyDev@programming.dev 8 points 2 weeks ago

Talk about burying the lede!

[–] ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 weeks ago