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Free Speech : Flag Desecration : Press Releases

ACLU Nebraska Challenges Flag Desecration Law (06/08/2007)

ACLU Praises Senators for Rejecting Flag Amendment, Says Bill of Rights Stands Strong and Intact (06/27/2006)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded the Senate for rejecting a proposed Constitutional amendment to ban flag “desecration.” The amendment, S.J. Res. 12, fell one vote short of the two-thirds majority required for passage.

Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Flag Amendment, ACLU Urges Full Senate to Reject Limits on First Amendment Rights (06/15/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed its disappointment as the Senate Judiciary Committee approved an election-year proposal to include censorship in the Constitution. The full Senate is now expected to consider S.J. Res. 12, the "Flag Desecration Amendment," the week of June 26.

ACLU Applauds Freedom Forum’s Flag Amendment Debate, Urges Senate to Reject First-Ever Restriction on Freedom of Speech (06/06/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today praised the First Amendment Center for hosting a lively and thoughtful debate on the proposed Constitutional amendment to outlaw flag desecration. The Senate is expected to hold a vote on the proposal during the last week of June.

Senate Panel Passes Measure to Include Censorship in Constitution, ACLU Urges Full Senate to Oppose as First Amendment Hangs in Balance (05/04/2006)
WASHINGTON - Noting that free expression and the right to dissent are among the core principles which the American flag represents, the American Civil Liberties Union today expressed its disappointment that a key Senate panel failed to protect the Constitution when it passed the Flag Desecration Amendment. The House passed the Flag Desecration Amendment by a narrow eight-vote margin last year.

ACLU Says House Approval of Flag Desecration Amendment is Loss for Freedom, Urges Senate to Stand Ground and Reject Measure Once Again (06/22/2005)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today called the House's approval of the "Flag Desecration Amendment" a loss for freedom and an unwarranted assault on the First Amendment. The proposal, which requires two-thirds of those voting and present to pass, was adopted by an eight-vote margin on a vote of 286 to 130. The amendment now heads to the Senate.

ACLU Calls on House to Reject Flag Desecration Amendment: This Session May Mark Closest Congressional Vote Yet on Measure (06/21/2005)
WASHINGTON - The Flag Desecration Amendment is introduced nearly every session of Congress, but the vote this session may be the closest yet. Noting that free expression and the right to dissent are among the core principles the flag should represent, the American Civil Liberties Union today called upon the House of Representatives to reject the amendment. That proposal, which would amend the Constitution to restrict the First Amendment's protections for the first time, is scheduled for a vote on Wednesday.

ACLU Calls Flag Desecration Amendment Assault on Free Speech; Says Measure Fails Very Principles Flag Embodies (05/25/2005)
WASHINGTON - Noting that free expression and the right to dissent are among the core principles for which the American flag stands, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Congress to reject the reintroduced Flag Desecration Amendment. The House Judiciary Committee is considering that measure today.

ACLU Calls Bush Stance on Flag Amendment Misguided, Says Constitution Must Be Protected from Election-Year Politics (08/31/2004)
WASHINGTON - Following an announcement by President Bush at an address to the American Legion Convention of his support for a proposed constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged lawmakers to reject the divisive measure, the latest of a multitude of proposed constitutional amendments to move this election year.

Veterans Group Opposes Flag Constitutional Amendment; Joins ACLU In Call To Reject Censorship in the Constitution (07/26/2004)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed the adoption of a resolution by Veterans for Peace that opposes the proposed constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag. The Senate Judiciary Committee had recently approved this misguided measure that would write censorship into the U.S. Constitution.

Senate Panel Approves Flag Constitutional Amendment; ACLU Calls for Senators To Reject Censorship in the Constitution (07/20/2004)
WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee today once again approved a proposed constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag, setting up yet another vote on this misguided measure that would write censorship into the U.S. Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union urged all senators to reject the divisive measure, the latest of a multitude of proposed constitutional amendments to move this election year.

ACLU Washington Director Asks Democratic Committee To Include Strong Stand for Civil Liberties in Party Platform (06/19/2004)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today asked the Democratic Party Platform Committee to include strong language in its 2004 platform to protect and promote civil liberties.

ACLU Renews Call to Keep Censorship Out of Constitution; Flag 'Desecration' Amendment Undermines American Principles (06/02/2004)
WASHINGTON - Adding to the multitude of proposed constitutional amendments this election year, a Senate subcommittee today considered an amendment that would codify censorship in the Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union strongly urged Senators to reject the proposed constitutional amendment to ban "desecration" of the flag, standing with the veterans and American heroes who say that the measure would betray the very principles of free expression and tolerance of dissent for which the flag stands.

ACLU Calls Flag "Protection" Amendment Antithetical to Freedom (03/10/2004)
WASHINGTON - As the Senate Judiciary Committee convened a hearing to consider a proposal that would write censorship into the U.S. Constitution, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Senators to reject the recently reintroduced constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag. The proposal, which has been condemned by veterans groups and leaders of every ideological stripe, would betray the very principles of free expression and tolerance of dissent for which the flag stands.

Flag Amendment Vote Falls Short of Proponents' Expectations; Post 9-11 Environment Does Not Boost Measure's Support (06/03/2003)
WASHINGTON - Although falling short of proponents' expectations, the House of Representatives today once again voted to revise the First Amendment to the Constitution to allow Congress to ban "desecration" of the American flag. The amendment received only 10 votes more than the two-thirds majority required for passage of a constitutional amendment.

Flag "Protection" Amendment Considered in Full Committee; ACLU Says Bill Threatens Freedoms Embodied By Stars-and-Stripes (05/21/2003)
WASHINGTON - Saying that free expression and the tolerance of dissent are the very principles for which the American flag stands, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Congress to reject the recently reintroduced "Flag Protection Amendment," which would, in practice, betray those fundamental ideals.

ACLU Warns Against Flag "Protection" Amendment to Constitution; Says Bill Threatens Freedoms Represented By Stars-and-Stripes (05/07/2003)
WASHINGTON - Saying that free expression and the tolerance of dissent are the very principles for which the American flag stands, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Congress to reject the recently reintroduced ""Flag Protection Amendment,"" which would, in practice, betray those fundamental ideals.

ACLU Warns Against Flag "Protection" Amendment to Constitution; Says Bill Threatens Freedoms Represented By Stars-and-Stripes (05/07/2003)
WASHINGTON - Saying that free expression and the tolerance of dissent are the very principles for which the American flag stands, the American Civil Liberties Union today strongly urged Congress to reject the recently reintroduced ""Flag Protection Amendment,"" which would, in practice, betray those fundamental ideals.

Following ACLU Intervention, Colorado Business Owner Resumes Upside-Down Flag Display to Protest War (04/15/2003)
DENVER -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado announced today that as a result of an agreement with city officials, a local business owner may resume displaying the American flag upside-down in his store window to express his views on the war in Iraq.

ACLU of Iowa Challenges State's Flag Desecration Law (12/02/2002)
DES MOINES-The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa today filed a lawsuit on behalf of two college students here who were prohibited by city and county officials from displaying a United States flag upside down in protest of U.S. government policies.

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