Kentucky Law Journal Volume 60 | Issue 4 Article 10 1972 Flag Profanation and the Law Emmet V. Mittlebeeler Follow this and additional works at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/klj Part of the First Amendment Commons Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits you. Recommended Citation Mittlebeeler, Emmet V. (1972) "Flag Profanation and the Law," Kentucky Law Journal: Vol. 60 : Iss. 4 , Article 10. Available at: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/klj/vol60/iss4/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at UKnowledge. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kentucky Law Journal by an authorized editor of UKnowledge. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. Flag Profanation and the Law By EMMET V. MIT-LEBEELER* I. INTRODUCTION Recent years have seen numerous deliberate acts of mutilation or destruction of one of the most cherished of all American emblems-the flag of the United States of America. These have been performed in public, often before a sympathetic crowd, and nearly always for the purpose of protesting a current policy or action of the government or a social practice or custom. Use of the flag or flag design in unconventional ways, as in clothing, decorations, and advertising, even where no political protest is intended, has also become prevalent. Both types of flag abuse-"desecration"-have presented vex- atious constitutional questions, especially in regard to freedom of expression. Questions about such freedom of course are not new but now they involve an especially unique and respected object- the flag.