ReclaimOurFlag
The Power of our Flag in Protest
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Occupy Oakland protestors
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Protest Type A - The Flag inverted - "in distress", * The Flag when flown upside is a sign of "urgent distress". Per THE FLAG CODE Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10l As amended by P.L. 344, 94th CongressApproved July 7, 1976. This is open to debate over what constitutes "urgent distress". This is the most effective use of protest of the Flag - as it maintains - it emphasizes that the ideals of the Flag are not being honored. Though some argue this trivializes what is a real cause for action in military or police conflict - when used for civil protest.
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Protest Type B -As the Flag is generally considered the symbol of National pride and reflection of American values - it is often the object of protest. Most recently many athletes - spurred by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick - have kneeled (or raised a fist) during our national anthem. Most Americans have an opinion on whether this is appropriate.
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#1 We support all American's right to free speech/expression inclusive of the kneeling.
#2 We highlight that Kaepernick has expressly stated his intentions to protest that the Flag specifically out of awareness of the ideal values of the Flag of Liberty and Justice for all do not apply equally to all Americans - and to spur conversation and start a dialog across America. The message of Kaepernick has often been misrepresented - he has expressed his desire to have the Flag represent more accurately Liberty and Justice for all. He is protesting the Nation and that the Flag as a symbol of the Nation is not adequately representing, and does not live up to it's ideals. The exaggerated reaction to his protests are as if he burned or desecrated the Flag highlight how deeply important symbol our Flag is in the American psyche and further inspiration it must be reclaimed.
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Protest Type C - Burning the Flag
Burning the Flag is the most dramatic form of protest. It is done by extremists on the Right and Left. On the Left - groups such as the "anti-fascists" blame the U.S. Government for social ills and seek to disrupt society and at times legitimate protests with their at times violent and exclusionary protests - and embrace of symbol of the U.S. Government and authority - the Flag. Flag burning is protected in the Constitution - though a Constitutional Amendment failed in 2006.
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Extremists on the Right see the Flag as no longer representative of their exclusionary and racist ideals of America. Dylan Roof murderer of nine members of the historically-black Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church during a bible study on June 17, 2015. After he was captured, authorities learned Roof had written what a manifesto in which he proclaimed “I hate the sight of the American flag. Modern American patriotism is an absolute joke. People pretending like they have something to be proud while White people are being murdered daily in the streets.”
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Three main types of protest involve our Flag. Flying the flag upside-down, refusing to stand for the flag and burning/despoiling the flag.
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Dylan Roof racist murderer
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We who fight for liberty and justice for all - are true Progressive Patriots - as we love this country and strive to make it greater and a more perfect inclusive union, using our Flag to unify and expand inclusivity in our Democracy; whereas extremists groups, the modern GOP - use the Flag often for exclusivity.
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