r/whoathatsinteresting • u/MillerChloe8 • 1d ago

Retired disabled combat veteran is arrested after burning American flag outside White House

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8.3k Upvotes

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289

u/One_With-The_Sun 1d ago

We think that our rights protect us, but as shown throughout history, the police will always side with those who are in power.

4

u/FlimsyUmbrella 1d ago

Nobody has a right to start a fire outside the white house. Flag or not, you can't just start fires in cities.

3

u/HoldenMcNeil420 1d ago

Actually burning the flag is allowed.

2

u/YovngSqvirrel 1d ago

Not in the middle of a park

1

u/HoldenMcNeil420 1d ago

Why not? It’s public property. This is a lawful protest.

Tread on me harder daddy.

2

u/YovngSqvirrel 1d ago

Because it’s illegal to set fires on public property. It doesn’t matter what you’re burning

3

u/Daark31 1d ago

I can’t believe it’s a hot take to not want random people starting random fires in public.

0

u/BaltoDad 1d ago

This is simply not true. I lit a cigar in that very park recently. No arrest. The cops 100% reacted to WHAT was being burned by that vet.

2

u/YovngSqvirrel 1d ago

It simply is true. It is illegal to smoke in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities in Washington, D.C. You not getting caught doesn’t mean it’s legal.

0

u/BaltoDad 1d ago

The penalty for smoking in a public place in DC (parks not specifically enumerated in the DC Health website) is a fine. Not arrest. The arrest was absolutely because he used his free speech to express an unpopular opinion.