NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Flag desecration

Flag desecration is a term applied to various acts that intentionally deface a flag, most often a national flag (though other flags can be defaced as well). Often, such action is intended to make a political point against a country or its policies. Some countries have laws forbidding methods of defacement (such as burning) or forbidding particular uses (such as for commercial purposes); such laws may distinguish between desecration of the country's own national flag and flags of other countries. Some countries have laws protecting the right to burn a flag as free speech. The picture is of a man burning the American flag.^{[citation needed]} Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (662x800, 116 KB) Flag burning demonstrated Image by Noplur File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (662x800, 116 KB) Flag burning demonstrated Image by Noplur File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other uses, see Flag (disambiguation). ... The Dannebrog, national flag of Denmark, is the oldest state flag still in use. ... The Dannebrog, national flag of Denmark, is the oldest state flag still in use. ... Flag ratio: 7:12; nicknames: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory The flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars...

Background

Flags can be destroyed by burning or can be defaced with slogans, excrement, etc. Flags can be walked upon, spat upon, or dragged through the dirt. Flags may simply be used unconventionally: they may be hung upside down or reversed (in some countries, however, this is also conventional protocol to indicate a problem). Some people consider it disrespectful not to salute the flag^{[citation needed]}, although others (eg Jehovah's Witnesses) have religious reasons for not saluting. Toilet paper, napkins, doormats, and other such items may also be manufactured bearing the image of the flag, so that the flag will be defaced in the course of everyday activities. It is increasingly common to see clothing with the image of flags forming a substantial part of the piece. Opinion is split as to whether this is an act of national pride or defacement. Such actions are undertaken for a variety of reasons:

In common usage, the phrase 'flag burning' refers only to burning a flag as an act of protest. However the United States Flag Code states that "the flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning," ideally by an authorized organization with a suitable ceremony accompanying. [2] A countrys foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how that particular country will interact with other countries of the world and, to a lesser extent, non-state actors. ... EugÃ¨ne Delacroixs Liberty Leading the People, symbolizing French nationalism during the July Revolution 1830. ...

Australia

Elizabeth O'Shea, an Australian student, burned the Flag of Australia in 2002; she was not charged. In May 2002, several prominent politicians advocated the banning of flag burning, but were rejected by the Prime Minister. National flag and state ensign. ... For other uses, see Student (disambiguation). ... National flag and state ensign. ...

During the 2005 Cronulla riots, a Lebanese-Australian youth, whose name has been kept secret, climbed an RSL club and tore down its flag before setting it on fire. The youth was sentenced to 12 months probation for the destruction of the RSL's property. [3] In October of that year the youth accepted an invitation from the RSL to carry the Australian flag along with war veterans in the Anzac Day march the following year. [4]. However, the RSL was forced to withdraw this invitation as it received phone calls from people threatening to pelt the youth with missiles on the day. [5]. The head of the New South Wales RSL was quoted as saying that "the people who made these threats ought to be bloody ashamed of themselves". [6] Police observing crowds prior to confrontations The 2005 Cronulla riots were a series of ethnically motivated mob confrontations which originated in and around Cronulla, a beachfront suburb of Sydney, New South Wales. ... The Returned and Services League of Australia (often abbreviated to RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Force. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Anzac Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25 April every year to remember members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who landed at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Anzac Day is also a public holiday in the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and...

In 2006, Australian Contemporary artist Azlan McLennan, burnt an Australian flag and displayed it on a billboard outside the Trocadero artspace in Footscray, Victoria. He called the artpiece Proudly UnAustralian. [7] Footscray is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, named after the English village of Foots Cray. ... VIC redirects here. ...

A socialist youth group, Resistance, marketed 'flag-burning kits' - inspired by, and to protest the censorship of Azlan McLennan's art - to university students. [8] A resistance movement is a group or collection of individual groups, dedicated to fighting an invader in an occupied country or the government of a sovereign nation through either the use of physical force, or nonviolence. ...

Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre worker Adam Thompson burned the Australian flag on the week of Australia Day celebrations in Launceston's City Park to the cheers of about 100 people, who were rallying against what they call "Invasion Day". [9] Anniversary Day redirects here. ...

Belgium

Flag desecration is not forbidden by Belgian law. Flemish youngsters have burned belgian flags on at least one occasion. ^[1]. For other uses, see Flanders (disambiguation). ...

Canada

In 1990, during heated political times around the Meech Lake Accord, the flag of Quebec was desecrated by residents of Brockville, Ontario opposed to Quebec's language laws. Televised images of individuals stepping on the Quebec flag were played in Quebec and contributed to the deterioration in relations between Quebec and English Canada. The incident, seen as a metaphor of Canada's perceived rejection of Quebec (and of Quebec's distinctiveness in the demise of the Meech Lake Accord) was invoked by Quebec nationalists during the run-up to the 1995 referendum on Quebec independence and is still remembered today. The National Flag of Canada, popularly known as the Maple Leaf and lUnifoliÃ© (French for the one-leafed), is a base red flag with a white square in its centre featuring a stylized, 11-pointed, red maple leaf. ... The Meech Lake Accord was a set of failed amendments to the Constitution of Canada negotiated in 1987 by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and the provincial premiers, including Robert Bourassa, premier of Quebec. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The flag of Quebec, called the FleurdelisÃ©, was adopted by the provincial government of Quebec, Canada, during the government of Maurice Duplessis. ... Brockville is located in the Thousand Islands region on the St. ... The Charter of the French Language (also known as Bill 101 and Loi 101) is a law in the province of Quebec, Canada defining French as the only official language of Quebec. ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... English Canada is a term used to describe one of the following: English Canadians, a term usually meaning English-speaking or anglophone Canadians, the official language majority in the country except New-Brunswick and Quebec as well. ... Quebec nationalism is the subject of many international studies together with the contemporary nationalism of Scotland, Catalonia and other non-sovereign regions of the world. ... Bill on the referendum and eventual declaration of independence. ... The province of Quebec shown in red. ...

In 2003, Baptists from Canada and the United States staged a flag burning of the Canadian Flag outside of the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. This was to protest same-sex marriage that was being decided with the Canadian court system.

Denmark

It is illegal in Denmark, under section 110 (e) of the Danish penal code, to desecrate the flags or national symbols of foreign nations, while legal to burn the Dannebrog, Denmark's national flag. The Folketing's reasoning is as follows: the burning of foreign flags falls into the realm of foreign policy, as the burning of another country's flag could be understood as a threat to that country. The burning of the Dannebrog, on the other hand, does not concern foreign countries, does not fall under foreign affairs, and so remains legal. According to Danish tradition, burning is also the proper way to dispose of a worn flag. [10] According to tradition, care must be observed to ensure that a flag never touches the ground, i.e. even when being disposed of, it should be placed on top of a fire. Flying the flag after sundown is also inappropriate behaviour. [11] Danish penalty law (Danish: Straffeloven) is the codification of the central legal text and constitutes the foundation of the Kingdom of Denmarks criminal law. ... The Dannebrog. ... The Folketing [], or Folketinget, is the national parliament of Denmark. ... A countrys foreign policy is a set of political goals that seeks to outline how that particular country will interact with other countries of the world and, to a lesser extent, non-state actors. ...

During the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy, Danish flags were burned in demonstrations in various Muslim countries. The Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy began after twelve editorial cartoons, most of which depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were published in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on 30 September 2005. ...

Faroe Islands

According to the Faroese flag law the Faroese flag, Merkið, may not be desecrated, "neither by words or by deeds" ^[2] Flag ratio: 8:11 The flag of the Faroe Islands is an offset cross, following as with other Nordic flags the tradition set by the Dannebrog. ...

Finland

According to the Finnish flag law^[12] it is illegal to desecrate the flag, treat it in disrespecting manner or remove it from a public place without permission.

France

According to the French law^[3], outraging the French national anthem or the French flag is liable for a fine of €7,500 and 6 months of incarceration if performed in a gathering.

Germany

Under German criminal code (§90a StGB) it is illegal to revile the German federal flag as well as any flags of its states. Offenders can be fined or sentenced for a maximum of three years in prison. As for flags of foreign countries, it is illegal to damage or revile them, if they are shown publicly by tradition, event or routinely by representatives of the foreign entity (§104 StGB). On the other hand it is not illegal to desecrate such flags that serve no official purpose (especially including any the one willing to desecrate them brings by himself for that purpose)

Hong Kong

In 1999 Ng Kung Siu and Lee Kin Yun were convicted for desecration of the regional flag of Hong Kong They were found guilty by a magistrate, had the conviction over turned in the High Court [13] but the convictions were restored by the Court of Final Appeal. [14] They were bound over to keep the peace on their own recognisance of $2,000 for 12 months for each of the two charges. The flag of the HKSAR Flag ratio: 2:3 The HKSAR and the PRC flags brandishing at the patio of the Legislative Council. ...

In the judgement, Chief Justice Andrew Li said although the Basic Law of Hong Kong guarantees freedom of speech, flag desecration is not legal because there are other protest methods. The Hon Andrew Li Kwok-nang, CBE, DLitt (Hon. ... The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China serves as the constitutional document of Hong Kong. ...

Iraq

In 2004 many copies of the proposed new flag for Iraq were burnt (see Flag of Iraq). There have also been cases of Israeli and American flags being burnt. There were no such examples of burning the current Iraqi national flags, even by political opponents, as both contain the words Allahu Akbar and so would be seen as a religious insult. Current flag of Iraq with stylized Kufic script. ... This article is about Islamic religious phrase God is most great. For other usages, see Allahu Akbar (disambiguation). ...

Ireland

In Ireland, desecration of the flag is discouraged by the government, though not illegal.^[4] During the 2002 FIFA World Cup, the Guinness beverage company was reprimanded by the Irish Government for selling the Flag of Ireland with a Guinness logo in the center of the flag. 2002 World Cup redirects here. ... Guinness logo Guinness is Good for You Irish language advertisement. ... The Government (Irish: ) [ralÌªË tÌªË É™sÌªË nÌªË É™ heËÉ¼É™nÌªË ] is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in the Republic of Ireland. ... The national flag of the Republic of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach NÃ¡isiÃºnta), also known as the tricolour,[1] is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. ...

Japan

In Japan, under Chapter 4, Article 92 of the Criminal Code, any desecration of recognized foreign nation's national flag and symbol to dishonor is prohibited and punishable by fine or penal labor on the complaint by the foreign government. As of 2007, no complaint had been made by a recognized foreign government. On May 1958, Flag of the People's Republic of China at a postage stamp convention was pulled down and damaged, but as Japan did not recognize People's Republic of China at the time, the law was not applied. The Criminal Code (刑法 Keihō) of Japan was passed in 1907 as Law No. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Jan. ... The flag of the Peoples Republic of China, the Five-Starred Red Flag (äº”æ˜Ÿçº¢æ—— in pinyin: wÇ” xÄ«ng hÃ³ng qÃ), was designed by Zeng Liansong, an economist and artist from Ruian (ç‘žå®‰ ruÃ¬ Än), Zhejiang. ...

However, there has never been a law explicitly prohibiting desecration of Flag of Japan. The act of desecration is thus implicitly protected by Article 21 "Freedom of speech" of Constitution of Japan which also prohibit censorship. The national flag of Japan, known as NisshÅki (æ—¥ç« æ—— sun flag) or Hinomaru (æ—¥ã®ä¸¸ sun disc) in Japanese, is a base white flag with a large red disc (representing the rising sun) in the center. ... The Constitution of Japan ) has been the founding legal document of Japan since 1946. ...

New Zealand

In New Zealand, under the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act 1981 it is illegal to destroy the New Zealand flag with the intent of dishonoring it. The Flag of New Zealand is a defaced blue ensign with the Union Flag in the canton, and four red stars with white borders to the right. ...

In 2003, a Workers Party of New Zealand member Paul Hopkinson, a Wellington schoolteacher, burned the Flag of New Zealand as part of a protest in Parliament grounds at the New Zealand Government’s hosting of the Prime Minister of Australia, against the background of Australia’s support of the United States in its war in Iraq. Hopkinson was initially convicted of destroying a New Zealand flag with intent to dishonor it, but appealed against his conviction. Logo of the Workers Party The Workers Party of New Zealand (until 2006 known as the Anti-Capitalist Alliance) is an umbrella group of socialist parties in New Zealand. ...

On appeal, his conviction was overturned on the grounds that the law had to be read consistently with the right to freedom of expression under the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990. This meant that his actions were not unlawful because they were done in the context of a protest; however, outside of a protest, the same actions would still have been illegal. This somewhat unusual result was due in part to the fact that the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act does not overrule other laws. Hopkinson was the first person charged under the Flags, Emblems and Names Protection Act. Shortly after his successful appeal, Hopkinson again burned a New Zealand flag and was arrested once more, this time for disorderly conduct. This subsequent charge was later dropped following legal advice that, because of the appeal court's decision, Hopkinson's action would again have been justifiable as a form of free expression or free speech. The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 is an enactment of the New Zealand Parliament setting out the rights and fundamental freedoms of the citizens of New Zealand. ...

Panama

On January 9, 1964 a discussion broke out between Panamanian students and Americans living in the Panama Canal Zone over the right of the flag of Panama to be raised next to the flag of the United States, at this time a contended territory between these nations. During the scuffle a Panamanian flag carried by Panamanian students was torn. This sparked four days of riots that ended with 22 Panamanians and four Americans dead, and with Panama breaking diplomatic relations with the United States. This event is considered to be very important in the decision to negotiate and sign the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, that allowed that the Panama Canal administration was handed over to the Panamanian Government on December 31, 1999. January 9 is known as Martyrs' Day and it is commemorated in Panama as a day of mourning. is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... The Panama Canal Zone (Spanish: ), was a 553 square mile (1,432 kmÂ²) territory inside of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles (8. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The flag of Panama was made by Maria Ossa de Amador. ... Union Jack. ... Map of Panama, with Panama canal The Torrijos-Carter Treaties (sometimes referred to in the singular as the Torrijos-Carter Treaty), are a pair of treaties signed by the United States and Panama in Washington, D. C. on September 7, 1977, abrogating the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty signed in 1903. ... The Panama Canal is a waterway in Central America which joins the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... is the 9th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Martyrs Day is a Panamanian holiday which commemorates the January 9, 1964 riots over sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone. ...

Portugal

Currently, according to article 332^nd of the Penal Code^[5], "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the Republic, the Flag or the National Anthem, the coats of arms or the symbols of Portuguese sovereignty, or fails to show the respect they are entitled to, shall be punished with up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to 240 days". In the case of the regional symbols, the person shall be punished with up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days.

The Portuguese Penal Code (article 323^rd) also forbids the desecration of foreign symbols: "Who publicly, by means of words, gestures or print publication, or by other means of public communication, insults the official flag or other symbol of sovereignty of a foreign State or of an international organization of which Portugal is a member shall be punished with up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to 120 days." This article applies under two conditions (article 324^th): that Portugal maintains diplomatic relations with the insulted country, and that there is reciprocity (i.e., that the insulted country would also punish any insult against Portuguese symbols of sovereignty, should they occur there).

Puerto Rico

In an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, a group people attending the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City were carrying a Puerto Rican flag. Due to a careless toss of a cigar, the character of Kramer somehow sets it on fire by accident. Trying to put out the flames by tossing and jumping the flag on the ground, he was chased by a group of parade attendees who thought he was desecrating the flag on purpose. Although this was a typical Seinfeldian bit of irreverence, many Puerto Rican activists were outraged, and the episode was pulled from repeat airings. A sitcom or situation comedy is a genre of comedy performance originally devised for radio but today typically found on television. ... For other uses, see Seinfeld (disambiguation). ... This article is about the NYC parade. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

Saudi Arabia

The flag of Saudi Arabia bears the shahada or Islamic declaration of faith. Because the shahada is considered holy, Saudi Arabia's flag code is extremely strict and even the slightest violation amounts to desecration not only of the flag but also of Islam itself. This has led to several incidents of controversy. In 1994, McDonald's printed carry-out bags bearing the flags of all nations participating in the FIFA World Cup, while Coca-Cola did the same on cans of soda. Because of Saudi outrage, the companies stopped producing those items. ^[6] Also during the FIFA World Cup, in 2002, Saudi officials protested against printing the flag on a football on the belief that kicking the creed with the foot was totally unacceptable. State and military flag and ensign (obverse). ... , // ShÄhÄda is a town in the northwest corner of Maharashtra state in India, now in NandurbÄr District (formerly in Dhule District). ... McDonalds Corporation (NYSE: MCD) is the worlds largest chain of fast-food restaurants, primarily selling hamburgers, chicken, french fries, milkshakes and soft drinks. ... The FIFA World Cup, sometimes called the Football World Cup or the Soccer World Cup, but usually referred to simply as the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the mens national teams of the members of FÃ©dÃ©ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the... The wave shape (known as the dynamic ribbon device) present on all Coca-Cola cans throughout the world derives from the contour of the original Coca-Cola bottles. ...

United Kingdom

English, Scottish and Welsh law does not have any concept of "flag desecration", however the law in Northern Ireland has varied since its foundation in 1921. The Union Flag of the United Kingdom and the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland are often defaced or burnt in Northern Ireland as a political provocation or as a protest. The Flags and Emblems Act of 1954 of the Northern Ireland Parliament, effective until repeal in the 1980s, made illegal the display of a flag likely to cause a "breach of the peace" and made it an offence to interfere or threaten to interfere with the display of "a Union flag." More recently, there has been controversy in Northern Ireland over which flags (if any) to fly over government buildings.^[15] Raising loyalist flags is common in the summer Ulster loyalism is a militant Unionist ideology held mostly by Protestants in Northern Ireland. ... The national flag of the Republic of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach NÃ¡isiÃºnta), also known as the tricolour,[1] is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. ... The Twelfth is an annual Protestant celebration on 12 July, originating in Ireland. ... This article is about the capital city of Northern Ireland. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... This article is about the country. ... Northern Ireland (Irish: , Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a constituent country of the United Kingdom lying in the northeast of the island of Ireland, covering 5,459 square miles (14,139 kmÂ², about a sixth of the islands total area). ... Flag Ratio: 1:2 Flag Ratio: 3:5 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland uses as its national flag the Royal Banner commonly known as the Union Flag or, popularly, Union Jack (although officially this title should only be given to the flag when it is flown... The national flag of the Republic of Ireland (Irish: An Bhratach NÃ¡isiÃºnta), also known as the tricolour,[1] is a vertical tricolour of green (at the hoist), white, and orange. ... The Northern Ireland Flags and Emblems Act was an act of the Northern Ireland Parliament that effectively banned the display of the Irish tricolour in Northern Ireland. ... The Parliament of Northern Ireland was the home rule legislature created under the Government of Ireland Act 1920, which existed from June 7, 1921 to March 30, 1972, when it was suspended. ... Breach of the peace is a legal term used in constitutional law in English-speaking countries, and in a wider public order sense in Britain. ...

The Queen's Colours and Regimental Colours are a very important symbol for a British Army regiment and for many regiments in the Commonwealth which have inherited the British Army's traditions. In a Line Regiment the Colour stand consists of these two flags, and damage to such a symbol would be a considered a great insult to the regiment by its members. In the past, when Colours were carried into battle, the seizure of an enemy Colour or the defence of the regiment's own Colours have ranked among any British regiment's finest moments. Examples include Sergeant Ewart's capture of the French 45th Ligne Eagle standard during the charge of the Scots Greys at the Battle of Waterloo; and the actions of Lieutenants Coghill and Melvill, who were both killed in their failed attempt to save the Queen's Colour at the Battle of Isandlwana, and for which they were awarded Victoria Crosses posthumously. In the days when battle was conducted at close quarters, it was necessary for soldiers to be able to determine where, during the heat of battle, their regiment was. ... A Queens Colour is a flag carried or maintained by British Army and Commonwealth infantry regiments or battalions to: Distinguish one regiment or battalion from another Be used as a rallying point for the regiments/battalions soldiers while in garrison or in battle. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... British regiment A regiment is a military unit, consisting of a variable number of battalions - commanded by a colonel. ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2008. ... Although they were presented with Regimental Colours, the regiments of Napoleon I tended to carry at their head the Imperial Eagle. ... The Scots Greys was a cavalry regiment of the British Army from 1678 until 1971, when they amalgamated with the 3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Waless Dragoon Guards) to form The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys). ... Combatants French Empire Seventh Coalition: United Kingdom Prussia United Netherlands Hanover Nassau Brunswick Commanders Napoleon Bonaparte, Michel Ney Duke of Wellington, Gebhard von BlÃ¼cher Strength 73,000 67,000 Anglo-Allies 60,000 Prussian (48,000 engaged by about 18:00) Casualties 25,000 killed or wounded 7,000... Photo submitted by John Young Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill, born Drumcondra Co Dublin, 25 January 1852, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Teignmouth Melvill was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pulleineâ€ Anthony Durnfordâ€ Ntshingwayo Khoza Strength 1,400 men 22,000 men Casualties 52 officers killed 1,277 other ranks killed 3,000 killed 3,000 wounded The Battle of Isandlwana was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War in which... For other uses, see Victoria Cross (disambiguation). ... A posthumous recognition is a ceremonial award given after the recipient has passed away. ...

In the British armed forces, it is usual for flag-bearers to lower flags and standards, even Queen's and Regimental Colours, so that they are draped on the ground, as part of a royal salute or during the two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday. This mark of respect, known as vailing, is not considered to be a desecration of the colours. In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday of November, the Sunday nearest to 11 November (Remembrance Day), which is the anniversary of the end of the hostilities of the First World War at 11 a. ...

United States

The Flag of the United States has sometimes been used in symbolic defacement, often in protest of the policies of the American government, both within the country and abroad. Union Jack. ...

In 1862, during the Union army's occupation of New Orleans in the American Civil War, the military governor, Benjamin Franklin Butler, sentenced William B. Mumford to death for removing an American flag. Today, defacing a flag is an act of protected speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as established in Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989), and reaffirmed in U.S. v. Eichman, 496 U.S. 310 (1990). New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... Combatants United States of America (Union) Confederate States of America (Confederacy) Commanders Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee Strength 2,200,000 1,064,000 Casualties 110,000 killed in action, 360,000 total dead, 275,200 wounded 93,000 killed in action, 258,000 total... Benjamin Franklin Butler (November 5, 1818 â€“ January 11, 1893) was an American lawyer and politician who represented Massachusetts in the United States House of Representatives and later served as its governor. ... William B. Mumford was a North Carolina native and resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, who was hanged for tearing down the United States flag during the American Civil War. ... â€œFirst Amendmentâ€ redirects here. ... Holding A Texas statute that criminalized the desecration of the American flag violated the First Amendment. ... // The United States Reports, the official reporter of the Supreme Court of the United States Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a neutral form which will... United States vs. ... // The United States Reports, the official reporter of the Supreme Court of the United States Case citation is the system used in many countries to identify the decisions in past court cases, either in special series of books called reporters or law reports, or in a neutral form which will...

After these decisions, several "flag burning" amendments to the Constitution have been proposed. Any amendment to the US Constitution must first be passed by a two-thirds majority in Congress and then be ratified by 38 of the 50 U.S. states (a three-quarter majority). On June 22, 2005, a flag burning amendment was passed by the House with the needed two thirds majority. On June 27, 2006, the most recent attempt to pass a ban on flag burning was rejected by the Senate in a close vote of 66 in favor, 34 opposed, one vote short of the two-thirds majority needed to send the amendment to be voted on by the states.^[7] The Flag Desecration Amendment, often referred to as the flag burning amendment, is a controversial proposed constitutional amendment to the United States Constitution that would allow the United States Congress to statutorily prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. ... Type Bicameral Houses Senate House of Representatives President of the Senate President pro tempore Dick Cheney, (R) since January 20, 2001 Robert C. Byrd, (D) since January 4, 2007 Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Members 535 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas US Government Portal A U.S. state is any one of the fifty subnational entities of... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Bicameral Speaker of the House of Representatives House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D) since January 4, 2007 Steny Hoyer, (D) since January 4, 2007 House Minority Leader John Boehner, (R) since January 4, 2007 Members 435 plus 4 Delegates and 1 Resident Commissioner Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States...

The United States Flag Code lists many guidelines for the use and display of the flag, many of which are largely ignored^{[citation needed]}. For example : Wikisource has original text related to this article: United States Flag Code The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the American Flag. ...

American sports teams often wear an American flag on their uniforms.^[8] For other uses, see Uniform (disambiguation). ...

The ritualized burning of the American flag is considered an appropriate way to dispose of a damaged or soiled flag. Flags are burned in retirement ceremonies by the American Legion, Boy Scouts,^[9] The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the American Legion.^[10] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... For the Boy Scouting program within the BSA, see Boy Scouting (Boy Scouts of America). ... The Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, is an American organization whose members are current or former members of the U.S. armed forces. ... The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage membership organization[1] dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. ...

Flying an American flag upside down is not necessarily meant as political protest. The practice has its origin in a military distress signal; displaying a flag in this manner is "a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property" [16]; it has been used by extension to make a statement about distress in civic, political, or other areas. Upside-down flying of the flag was ruled constitutional in Spence v. Washington, a 1974 Supreme Court ruling. [17] For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ...

Venezuela

Since the demonstrations against the refusal by the government to renew the broadcasting license of RCTV (a major TV network), the upside-down flag of Venezuela has been adopted as a symbol of protest for this and other alleged threats to civil liberties. Demonstrators claim that it is a sign of distress and a call for help. However, government and ruling-party officials insist that these are demonstrators are desecrating the flag, manipulated by the enemies of the people. An official video sharply criticizing this practice as disrespectful and traitorous was produced, and private TV networks have been ordered to transmit it for free ^[11]. Globovisión prepended to the video a statement denouncing the message as violative of the Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television, "for constituting anonymous official propaganda". Radio Caracas TelevisiÃ³n Internacional (RCTV Internacional) is a Venezuelan cable television network headquartered in the Caracas neighborhood of Quinta Crespo. ... New 8-star Flag of Venezuela Flag ratio: 2:3 New 8-star Flag of Venezuela Flag ratio: 2:3, civil/merchant variant Old 7-star Flag of Venezuela. ... Globovision is a Venezuelan 24-hour news channel. ... The Law on Social Responsibility on Radio and Television (Ley de Responsabilidad Social en Radio y TelevisiÃ³n, known as the LRS or the Ley Resorte) is a Venezuelan law, adopted by the National Assembly and in force since 7 December 2004. ...

Contents

Background

Australia

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

Faroe Islands

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong

Iraq

Ireland

Japan

New Zealand

Panama

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Saudi Arabia

United Kingdom

United States

Venezuela

See also

Notes

References

External links

Contents

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Australia

Belgium

Canada

Denmark

Faroe Islands

Finland

France

Germany

Hong Kong

Iraq

Ireland

Japan

New Zealand

Panama

Portugal

Puerto Rico

Saudi Arabia

United Kingdom

United States

Venezuela

See also

Notes

References

External links

Background