What's the appropriate reaction to students stepping on the Flag of the United States?

2015-12-27T11:38:29-05:00

There is some strong profanity in this video so I render caution. If these four young people are so offended by our flag then why don't they move to another country? What would you do if you were there? Please keep the comments clean and rational.

Update: Sorry, posted the wrong link. Here's one from YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxVf0YsGFZ8

Stepping on the American flag at UCLA

Protesters step on the American flag at UCLA while a student who was walking by forces them off.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 11:39 AM

2015-12-27T11:39:54-05:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxVf0YsGFZ8

Stepping on the American flag at UCLA

Protesters step on the American flag at UCLA while a student who was walking by forces them off.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Dec 27 at 2015 1:36 PM

2015-12-27T13:36:07-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member - Staff; The video has vanished off into hyperspace.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 27 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-12-27T13:59:25-05:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member A granddaughter is currently at UCLA. She has been raised to be a conservative and is rather shocked at the attitudes at UCLA. her particular peeve is students wishing to called an 'it' rather than a he or she. They think they may have a problem, but do not know what it is!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-12-27T14:55:39-05:00

As much as that is a disturbing sight, that veteran is in the wrong. The thing is, he starts off by saying "I know you have the right to do that..." and "I fought for that right..." but then he still tries to stop them from exercising that right. It's long been ruled that using the flag is part of political speech. I don't believe in veterans or anyone else attempting to stop someone from exercising their constitutional rights, even if I don't happen to personally agree with what they are doing. That's the whole idea about freedom of speech--it protects the distasteful, disrespectful and unpopular as well as the popular.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 27 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-12-27T15:39:37-05:00

Pride that we live in a country where one can step on the flag and not be dragged away by the gestapo...

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-12-27T15:53:45-05:00

Ignore them. Everyone just ignore them. This qualifies as both speech and demonstration, they have the right to both. What they seek is attention. They DON'T have the "right" to be paid attention to. They will either stop or they will up their antics (and probably end up breaking a law, in which case-police).

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 27 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-12-27T16:09:10-05:00

Some observations:
1. Stepping on the flag changes nothing.
2. We can't rewrite history.
3. If this country revolts them, they should go to another f@cking country to live.
4. I am glad that man got support from the crowd.
5. You cant win with silence and inaction.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 4:18 PM

2015-12-27T16:18:01-05:00

I would not use force due to the fact that it may stir up the whole situation more and as a soldier, I will portrait myself as professional regardless. I will not yell or hurt them.. I'll walk to them and ask them to give me the flag. They can beat me up for it but shouting or using force is not a guaranteed fix and these people might even use it against you. Remember, we represent the military.. the protector of OUR land. We must take control of own emotions and maintain a professional and respectful character.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 4:29 PM

2015-12-27T16:29:33-05:00

These folks that want to step on the flag, have the right to do so. I also cherish the right to ignore them, and never ever associate with them.

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made Dec 27 at 2015 5:36 PM

2015-12-27T17:36:12-05:00

Whooping that ass

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 9:54 PM

2015-12-27T21:54:04-05:00

A good right upper cut???

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 10:05 PM

2015-12-27T22:05:34-05:00

The irony is they desecrate the flag of the country that affords them the right to go to school in the US. Some countries don't even have public schools available to anyone but the wealthy or they don't allow women to be educated. I wish they would pack their bags and just leave.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2015 10:18 PM

2015-12-27T22:18:57-05:00

I would calmly walk up, take the flag away, and walk off.
The Mary's wouldn't dare touch me.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Dec 27 at 2015 10:33 PM

2015-12-27T22:33:44-05:00

the thing with that freedom of speech thingy... people sometimes express that which we might disagree...

Response by SSG Michael Hartsfield made Dec 27 at 2015 10:57 PM

2015-12-27T22:57:17-05:00

A Brother of mine who went through SERE told me of a lesson he learned while in training and it has always stuck with me. "A flag is a symbol and symbols can be abused, perverted or taken. Patriotism is carried inside of you. It can never be taken away." While seeing these dumbasses do this makes me angry, it doesn't make me any less of a patriot.
Also, my flag doesn't touch the ground.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Dec 28 at 2015 10:18 AM

2015-12-28T10:18:37-05:00

Even though this type of action pisses me off, the people I have seen try to stop them come off looking bad. A lot of times they look like those that make Stolen Valor their mission and accuse anyone of it. It is their right, take the high road and walk away.

Response by SFC William Adamek made Dec 28 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-12-28T12:11:58-05:00

Give them the attention they want and more!
Take their picture standing on the flag... put it on multiple signs... find out where they live, work and play... call the media and as a group peacefully protest their un-Americanism at each of these locations. They will lose their jobs (if they even have any), people will begin to shun them, and it may be a deterrent to a few others doing the same.

Response by MSG Gerry Poe made Dec 28 at 2015 2:10 PM

2015-12-28T14:10:30-05:00

I haven't experienced this issue in person yet. I hope I never do, because I may have military bearing in uniform and in front of my troops, but I am not sure how composed I would be to see someone "expressing" their freedom of speech standing on a symbolic representation of our great Nation!

I am Native American (Chickasaw) and I love my heritage and what it means to be American. I honor my ancestors and my elders, I do not look at past history of how Native Americans were treated. I know a lot of Natives who do and they have that right! I look at what I have in front of me, so I know who I fight for today! What rights we have as Americans and who we vote into office to run this country! So do not be a fool and disrespect what many ppl have served and died to protect! I feel it is his right to slap those ppl off that flag! He might go to jail for it but it is his right!

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 30 at 2015 2:59 AM

2015-12-30T02:59:48-05:00

Kick their ass....

Response by SSgt Stuart Schultz made Jan 2 at 2016 5:43 PM

2016-01-02T17:43:35-05:00

There is no reason why we can't have a law forbidding disrespect to the flag of any reason! Using the flag to display freedom of speech by "stepping on it" is not what I swore to defend! You can protest and be respectful of the flag at the same time.

Response by Brandi Coy made Jan 2 at 2016 6:29 PM

2016-01-02T18:29:18-05:00

my son died for that flag.

Response by AN Kenneth Borchers made Jan 2 at 2016 6:49 PM

2016-01-02T18:49:17-05:00

I am ashamed of this Generation of kids. And for me you step on the flag I will step on you my Brothers and sisters died protecting the American Flag and I will protect the American Flag for those people till I die.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 6:53 PM

2016-01-02T18:53:07-05:00

I don't like it. It's disrespectful, ungrateful, tacky and unoriginal. I would ignore it. To do otherwise is playing right into their hands and that's exactly what they want. Don't give them what they want. Like a petulant child throwing a tantrum. You won't change their mind no matter what you say so why waste your energy.

Response by PO2 Jesse Hutton made Jan 2 at 2016 7:03 PM

2016-01-02T19:03:25-05:00

Some don't see anything wrong with someone trashing the flag and say that is their right. We are not allowed to do many things because they are wrong to do. This should be one of them. This flag is not just the flag of our nation. It is the flag of those that died for it. We have had military personnel die just to protect the flag. They didn't die for you or me. They didn't die for land or resources. Some died to just protect the flag.
We let someone trash the flag, we are telling those that died protecting the flag that their death was wasted. Tell that person's parents, wife or children that they died for nothing. I love my country and will die for it. I served proudly and would serve again if needed. I will protect the flag just like I would the country out of respect for those that died protecting it. Do not say this is just a flag because it is not.
It saddens me that none of the spectators helped to protect the flag.

Response by TSgt Marco McDowell made Jan 3 at 2016 6:06 AM

2016-01-03T06:06:20-05:00

Unfortunately the Flag Code doesn't impose penalties or punishments for this. The Flag Protection Act has been struck down numerous times so what has happened here and many places can't be called a crime. There is no "right" to defame the National Ensign, it's something allowed because the Supreme Court has said so, a infringement on free speech, right to assemble, yadda yadda. Just as unfortunate is that physically stopping someone from doing this may result in you going to jail. Best bet is, record the action, the faces involved and if possible the names. Share it through the wonders of social media. It's amazing how many employers look out for stuff like this.

Response by SPC Sam Murphy made Jan 3 at 2016 7:06 AM

2016-01-03T07:06:57-05:00

I am sorry, but good men and women died for these people to be given the "right" to do this. BUT, good men and women died to give others a right to stop things like this as well. True, it may be a piece of cloth, but it represents everything that our men and women have died for. I am sorry Ted, but you are a poor excuse of someone who hides behind political BS. CPT also has a valid point, but he also turns his back on those who sacrificed. If these people are so unhappy here and feel that this government is not doing enough to help the very countries that attack us, then let them go back and help their country and stop living off of the American soil.

Response by SGT Mark Seymour made Jan 3 at 2016 11:47 AM

2016-01-03T11:47:13-05:00

1. The protestors have not earned the right to touch that flag.
2. The gentleman with the cane deserved far more support than he received.
3. As with most Americans, too many are comfortable just being bystanders.
4. The right to free speech and the right to stomp on a symbol of freedom are two different things.
5. If the protestors are so unhappy with our country's beliefs, morals, and standards then feel free to sample another country and see how they put up with your right to protest!

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jan 4 at 2016 5:01 PM

2016-01-04T17:01:26-05:00

While I would love to put boot to ass or throat punch them, violence is not the answer in this particular case. The Constitution is what we are defending, and no matter how ridiculous it is, they have that right.

Response by CW3 Dick McManus made Jan 4 at 2016 7:29 PM

2016-01-04T19:29:20-05:00

Think. Then be glad they are not suicide bombers.