In conjunction with Deborah Ross’ appearance at Hillary Clinton’s Charlotte campaign stop today, the NRSC released a new Snapchat geofilter highlighting Radical Ross’ defense of burning the American flag. The filter will be available to Snapchat users near the Charlotte Convention Center.
While serving as the top lobbyist for the North Carolina ACLU, Deborah Ross criticized a constitutional amendment that would have banned flag desecration. Ross claimed that burning the flag is “symbolic speech.”
This is the same Deborah Ross who participated in 4th of July festivities this weekend carrying an American flag and on Flag Day tweeted, “The American flag symbolizes freedom and opp as it unites us. As your Senator, I will uphold these ideals”
Why would Radical Deborah Ross support the desecration of our nation’s symbol of freedom, opportunity, and unity?
Background
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In June 1995, Ross Criticized A House Of Representatives Vote To Ban Flag Burning Saying “We Have A First Amendment Right To Burn The Flag As Symbolic Speech.” “The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to amend the Constitution to protect the American flag, brushing aside protests that flag desecration – no matter how objectionable – should be considered free speech. The amendment would give state and federal authorities the power to impose criminal sanctions against people convicted of physically desecrating the flag, although it made no attempt to define desecration. … Deborah Ross, legal director for the N.C. chapter of the ACLU, said the amendment was a waste of time and resources. ‘We have a First Amendment right to burn the flag as symbolic speech,’ Ross said. ‘The Constitution protects that right. To spend time and effort on this is ridiculous. Why not pass an amendment to help poor people or promote education in this country? This won’t make one bit of difference.’” (David Hess, “Amendment On Burning Flag Easily Passes House,” Charlotte Observer, 6/29/95)
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In 2000, The North Carolina ACLU’s Website Celebrated “A Tremendous Victory For Free Speech And The Bill Of Rights” When Congress Failed To Pass A Constitutional Amendment To Ban Desecration Of The Flag. “In a tremendous victory for free speech and the Bill of Rights, Senator Edwards joined 36 of his colleagues in resoundingly defeating a proposed constitutional amendment to ban desecration of the flag!” (North Carolina ACLU’s Website via Internet Archive, www.acluofnorthcarolina.org, Cache Date 6/12/00)
- The North Carolina ACLU Called Attempts To Ban Flag Desecration “An Assault On Free Speech.” “But flag amendment supporters will not go away quietly. The Citizens Flag Alliance and its allies are gearing up an effort to punish Senator Edwards for opposing this assault on free speech. Through letters and calls to his Senate offices, and in letters to the editor, amendment supporters will attack the patriotism of the Senator, simply because he stood up for the Constitution.” (North Carolina ACLU’s Website via Internet Archive, www.acluofnorthcarolina.org, Cache Date 6/12/00)