What are your thoughts on protection of the U.S. Flag?

By now, many of you are familiar with the chaos that has taken place in Baltimore, Maryland. Aside from another protest taking place regarding police brutality against a minority, the other big issue that came into play was the desecration of the United States flag. Now, this wasn't your typical, run-of-the-mill type protest where the people in attendance brought their own flag to destroy as they saw fit. No, this group had the audacity to take down the flag flying at Baltimore's city hall and proceed to burn it.

I've been asking myself over and over how I would respond to such an event if it took place before my very eyes. Would I risk my own personal well-being to protect the very symbol that has defined this great country for over two centuries? Would I risk imprisonment for something I feel is the right thing to do? Not that long ago, a USAF veteran interfered with a protest after the crowd began walking/stomping on the flag. After passively resisting both the flag and herself to the custody of the police, she was detained, but not charged.

I'd like to think that I would be that guy too. But, in the events that took place in Baltimore, would the risk be worth it?

This is purely hypothetical and something that I feel is best gagged by the military community as opposed to the wide assortment of friends and family on my Facebook page. Thoughts?