texas vs johnson summary/background information and ruiling/outcome in 2-3 sentences

1 answer

In Texas v. Johnson (1989), the Supreme Court ruled that burning the American flag as a form of political protest is protected under the First Amendment as free speech. The case arose when Gregory Lee Johnson was convicted in Texas for flag desecration after burning a flag at a protest during the 1984 Republican National Convention. The Court's 5-4 decision affirmed that the government cannot prohibit expression simply because it is offensive, highlighting the importance of protecting controversial speech in a democratic society.