Mike Levin: “I cannot support the proposed constitutional amendment. The American flag is the premier icon of our national freedom.…”

“I cannot support the proposed constitutional amendment. The American flag is the premier icon of our national freedom. It is an irreplaceable reminder of liberty, sacrifice, and patriotism. To deliberately desecrate or burn a flag is an insult to anyone who has fought to defend it. But to deliberately weaken the First Amendment rights of all Americans cannot be the answer to those who attack a symbol of freedom. We love our flag for obvious reasons, and true Americans treat it with respect. A person who destroys such an important symbol should face the scorn of all decent women and men. But we should not allow the misguided actions of a few individuals to jeopardize the rights and freedoms of all Americans. The Supreme Court has ruled that such an attack on the flag is a protected form of speech under the First Amendment to the Constitution. If we pass this amendment, and the States ratify it, we alter the Bill of Rights for the first time in our nation's history. For more than 210 years, the Bill of Rights--which protects our most basic freedoms--has served us well. Although I love the flag, I also love the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. When we pledge allegiance to the flag, in the same breath, we pledge allegiance to the Republic for which it stands.”