Two Marines witness protesters waving the American flag hung upside down in a demonstration in Albuquerque. The Marines run after the motorcycle to confront them, when they quickly speed away and drop the flag on the ground. The Marines pick up the dropped flag and walk away.
They’re quickly approached by another individual, who is quite possibly another protester, and begins to address the symbolism of the upside down flag to the Marines. The response received is, “I don’t give a f**k what the symbol is. We serve our f**king country and that’s bulls**t.”
According to the Daily Caller,
The video has drawn a great deal of controversy since it was first posted on March 31. Marine Maj. Brian Cillissen said in a phone interview with KRQE, “I would say the most disrespectful thing that happened in that video is the flag being tossed on the ground. There are a lot of folks that have a lot of passion about that flag and want to protect it at all costs, but that doesn’t negate the fact that we’re in the service to support and defend the Constitution.”
The U.S. flag code states, “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” The protesters were demonstrating against the Albuquerque police force for killing homeless man.
The homeless man, James Boyd, was a widely discussed topic here at USMC Life because of the tactics involved by police. Read more here.
Warning: Language
Why fly the US flag upside down if it’s the ABQ police force they are against? I think the jarheads would understand “Good initiative; bad judgement.” They did the right thing, but the douchebags have to the right to be douchebags. Seeing as they were just PTing and some asshole dropped the flag in-front of them, I would call it win-win.
I say THANK YOU !!!TO THE 2 YOUNG MEN FOR RESPECTING OUR FLAG AND THIER SERVICE !!!To the asshol– protestors Go to Iraq and throw their flag on the ground…. You will be very popular!!!
I can agree a little with both sides of this issue! The military mindset of seeing disrespect for the flag (in their minds), but the demonstrators mindset that this country is in trouble (and it is); they screwed up when they threw the flag on the ground!
You’re correct. The country is in deep trouble. When you allow U.S. citizens to disrespect the blood on that flag, and whine about their rights. The country is in very deep trouble.
Oorah!!!
Just doing their jobs. Protecting our flag. OOhRah Semper Fi
The United States flag code stipulates that it is illegal to portray the union flag upside down.
We also have the constitution which protects our democratic right to freedom of expression.
In a legal framework they are both in dire conflict with the respective legislation.
Whilst I heartily commend the US Marines for their service, one must note that the acute atrocities committed in the name of that flag, by these same individuals, justifies the freedom to express disappointment, perhaps, I dare say, even hatred and thus from a moral stand point the protesters on that motorcycle are entitled to do what they set out to do.
WRONG!!! MA3 USN (Ret)
THE FLAG CODE
Title 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10
As amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress
Approved July 7, 1976
§ 176. Respect for flag: No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
And how our economy and gun grabbing Mayors which have zero respect for Second Amendment. Fly the flag upside down. But cannot be dipped or on a motorcycle.
Thank You & WELL DONE!!
to bad the two Marines didn’t get hold of those two douchebags they have no respect for God and Country,they’ve never put their buddies in a body bag! loaded hundred of coffins draped in the American Flag, and give there lives to serve that Flag, No protest is worth dishonoring God and Country and the American Flag, Semper Fi !!
You should have chased that disrespectful piece of Sh** down & kicked his ass. Semper FI Marine’s !
You should have chased that disrespectful piece of Sh** down & kicked his ass. Semper FI Marine’s !
Thank God for our Marines! More people should have a sense of pride in our flag and have the honor and courage that the Corp has! Good on them 🙂
I remember doing something like during demonstrators against the war in Vietnam. The very same un-kepted filthy piece of human depree tried to take the flag down. they go after the very thing that gives them the freedom to do that.
Ooh Rah!!! Semper Fi!!!!
The issue is a complex one. Lets not forget that the Flag Code is technically a violation of the US Constitution.
Semper fi
There are too many that think they have the “right” to disrespect our country. I applaud the Marines. They risk their lives so these idiots have the freedom of speech. When did respect and responsibility go away with freedom of speech?
ONE SON, ONE DAUGHTER, BOTH MARINES. MY SON IS 22 AND MY DAUGHTER IS 18- MY KIDS DESERVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE THOSE MARINES DEFEND OUR FLAG FOR MY CHILDREN THAT ARE MARINES AND FOR THOSE THAT WILL SERVE AND HAVE SERVED. BUT NOT KICKING THEIR ASS FOR THAT SHOWS THAT “WE” ARE BETTER THAN THOSE SISSY BITCHES ON THE MOPED RUNNING LIKE A COWARD!
Semper Fi, As a Marine, well an old Marine. To many lives have been given so we the people can live free and chose our own lives. My son gave his life for this country. I served 7 years. All I can say is, I will buy the first round for these two Marines..Semper Fi Marines….are Country, Our Flag, Mess with our Flag then you get what is coming to you..Deal with it…
United States Marines, we protect our Country, our people and our Flag. To many lives were gave for this Flag. I will buy the first round for these Marines..Semper Fi Devil Dogs…