The 4th Annual Old Time American Flag Burn took place on July 3rd at the Far West Fire Ring on Seabright Beach in Santa Cruz. This BYOF (Bring Your Own Flag) event is a ritual celebration of the First Amendment to the Constitution which protects freedom of speech, including the burning of the United States flag. Instead of flag desecration, this is flag consecration.

Two years ago congress attempted to amend the constitution to ban flag desecration and it failed by one vote. Since then congress has continued to attempt to generate a bill that would pass muster, but support has decreased. Justice William Joseph Brennan, Jr. noted that the "Principal function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute; it may indeed best serve its high purpose when it induces condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger." Organizers say their "intention is not to anger folks, but to create a safe place for our community to exercise this seldom used freedom. Read More

American Flag Consecration a Success!!

previous years: 2005 | 2006