Flag desecration refers to the act of intentionally damaging or disrespecting a national flag, often as a form of protest or political expression. This can include burning, tearing, or otherwise defiling the flag, which many view as a violation of national pride and values. The act is controversial and can provoke strong emotional responses from the public. In the United States, flag desecration has been a subject of legal debate, particularly regarding the First Amendment's protection of free speech. Various court cases, such as Texas v. Johnson in 1989, have upheld that flag desecration is a form of symbolic speech, thus protected under the Constitution.