Flag Desecration Amendment Crisis

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

From the ACLU

Begin forwarded message:

Flag Desecration Amendment Crisis
Congressional supporters of the so-called flag “desecration”  
amendment are pushing forward this week. This proposed amendment to  
the Constitution would betray the promise of our democracy by  
restricting the First Amendment. In the past we have been able to  
check their attempts but now, for the first time ever, there may not  
be enough votes in the Senate to stop it.

We need your help today to urge the House and Senate to reject this  
dangerous amendment. Click here to write your Representative and  
Senators and urge them to oppose the flag “desecration” amendment.  
Without your action, Congress may restrict the First Amendment for  
the first time in history.

Why should you care so much about this proposed amendment? It  
infringes on freedom of speech by placing restrictions on the First  
Amendment. It also sets the stage for the government to restrict  
other speech it might disagree with. What’s next? Amending the  
Constitution to prevent people from criticizing the President during  
times of war?

Veterans opposing this amendment have told Congress that they fought  
to defend free speech and the other freedoms that we hold dear. We  
cannot let Congress strip these freedoms using the guise of  
patriotism. And while few of us might support the burning of flags,  
we can all agree that it is much more wrong for the government to  
infringe on our free speech.

In 2000, we were also in a dangerous situation, but with the help of  
our members and our affiliates we were able to secure the wavering  
votes of several Senators who considered supporting the measure. We  
also convinced two Senators who had long voted in support of the  
amendment to oppose it. We need to build on this success and stop the  
flag desecration amendment cold.

Click here to take action and urge your Representative and Senators  
to defend free speech or read more here.



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