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Trump tweet reignites flag burning ban in SWFL

Posted at 10:43 PM, Nov 29, 2016
and last updated 2016-11-29 22:43:08-05

25 years ago the U.S. Supreme court upheld the right of Americans to burn the American flag in protest.

This week President-Elect Donald Trump tweeted those who burn the flag should "lose their citizenship, or spend a year in jail."

"It does make me angry, it does," said army veteran Frank Kerr of Naples.   

Kerr says he took an oath to defend the constitution and uphold the right for people to burn the flag, but that doesn't mean he likes it.

"There are plenty of people who come home under flags and most of the people burning these flags have never gone through that horror."

Trump tweeted his flag burning comment after someone burned a flag at a Massachusetts college.

"I don't know about losing your citizenship, but maybe if someone spent time in jail, you would stop and think about what your freedom is worth," said Tessie Seligman.

Other people we spoke with said while burning the American flag is the ultimate sign of disrespect, banning it would infringe on our right to freedom of expression.

"I think people should have the right to demonstrate, and protest.  I might not agree burning the flag is the right way to do that," said Marvin Murphy.

But Kerr, who served in Desert Storm says there are other less dramatic ways you can express frustration with your government.

"Please don't take it out on our troops, they deserve better.  Write your government, vote."

The military conducts special flag burning ceremonies, but that's only for flags that are worn or tattered.