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Student to burn American flag in peaceful protest Wednesday at noon

Event featuring national anthem, pledge of allegiance sheduled to follow

Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 16:05

Benjamin Haas, communication studies graduate student, will burn an American flag tomorrow at noon on the Parade Ground as part of a peaceful protest, according to Cody Wells, Student Government president.

Wells said Haas is exercising his First Amendment right to burn the flag. The burning comes nearly a week after Isaac Eslava was taken into custody after cutting down and burning the American flag flying over the War Memorial and stealing the University flag.

Wells said Haas went through University procedure to host tomorrow's protest, and he also went through the procedure to organize a "peaceful assembly in response to recent flag burnings."

"We're going to respect his First Amendment right to burn our American flag," Wells said.

He added he and others will then "exercise our own First Amendment rights" by holding their own ceremony.

Tomorrow at 1 p.m., Wells is organizing a ceremony to say the pledge of allegiance and sing the national anthem. Wells said he has a trumpet player lined up for the ceremony and he hopes he will have cadets there.

Though Wells is the SG president, he said his assembly is not related to or sponsored by SG, but by him "as an individual."

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Contact Andrea Gallo at agallo@lsureveille.com

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Fri May 20 2011 22:33

Burning the school's flag was a crime because he destroyed property. If someone wants to purchase and burn their own flag, fine.

I dislike how the Hispanics are so hateful and it makes me wonder why they are here. Go to Mexico if you want to see your own flags flying. We fly ours here. I think we should ban flying Mexican flags here.

Sidney Wing - NOT Anonymous

Thu May 19 2011 14:48

So many Anonymous posts - both for and against - but the bottom lines are simple. Did he have the RIGHT to burn the flag - according to our Constitution and our current laws - yes. But what everyone forgets to mention - is that with RIGHTS, come RESPONSIBILITIES. Was his action RESPONSIBLE? Well - that is a matter of opinion. One person said "It's quite possible to protest the specific actions of a government while still deeply respecting that government's country and its citizens." I agree - it is VERY possible to do so... However, I cannot, in good conscience, see Flag Burning as ANY kind of symbol of "deep respect" for my country and it's citizens.

Wed May 18 2011 01:43

It's obviously a sick publicity stunt.

Tue May 17 2011 11:42

If Mr. Haas is really serious about making a statement of citizens' rights, he can set himself on fire. He also has that right! In fact that is what I would suggest.

Tue May 17 2011 10:31

Let's get our heads on straight and make a law that says no burning of our flag. This represents our FREE nation, so let's show some respect for it, our forefathers fought for the right, and I agree with free speech, but this is our flag. People wake up before it is too late. anti-American???- send the protestors back to their backward countries.
AMERICA, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT, We do not want your kind of life, we have freedom! and will keep it but not with the likes of you!

Mon May 16 2011 19:25

let's burn a kuran for every flag burned.
seems to be equitable.

Sat May 14 2011 01:03

The stink of Birmingham, or worse, Nuremberg. LSU at it's ole best.

Grow up, people. Let him burn the flag. The Koran. The Bible. Whatever. Something might be stupid, but it's legal. You people ever heard of Theo Van Gogh? Are we no better?

Fri May 13 2011 23:38

Yeah, cut LSU's funding. Then it will become ridiculously expensive to attend and no one will get a quality education and you'll just complain when they work at a crappy place and don't perform up to your standards. That will solve everything.

Fri May 13 2011 11:32

Since when is arson considered peaceful??

Fri May 13 2011 08:05

WOW, is all I have to say!!! I just don't understand why someone living in American would want to burn the American Flag just to exercise their 1st Amendment rights. Also, why the theatrics? Why not buy your own freaking flag and burn it at your home if it makes you feel FREE! People just love attention I guess.

Thu May 12 2011 19:07

I love all the people commenting erroneously even after Haas's speech, and the reasoning behind his proposed demonstration, have been printed. I don't agree with the reason for his protest, nor with his original methodology, but I also disagree with the ignorance-laced diatribes being propagated in responses here and elsewhere. It always seems as though anytime someone "different" does something someone doesn't like, they'll jump on the action as an opportunity to voice their equally-bigoted and hateful ideologies. You don't agree with him, fine; but that suddenly means he should be deported? Apparently many of you people don't understand the actual meaning of freedom. It's quite possible to protest the specific actions of a government while still deeply respecting that government's country and its citizens.

Thu May 12 2011 18:44

Lets see if the stupid pinko has the balls to burn a Kuran. Like all liberals, no guts all crap.

Thu May 12 2011 12:43

maybe if, instead of spending billions of tax dollars on bombing the crap out of the middle east and killing tewwowists, we could spend that money on our education system and educate our children on america, the world, and how we could improve it, and we probably wouldnt have too many more cases of people being pissed at the country. maybe it seems to that guy that the values the flag stands for have gone down the drain?

Thu May 12 2011 10:22

What a poorly written article. Does not explain what the flag burner is protesting.

Thu May 12 2011 08:40

"Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall." Americans need to stand up for America. We are required by our own laws to be so tolerant that our nation gives more rights to illegals than to citizens. What other country gives a free education to illegal aliens or give them a down payment to buy a house, free medical care, and food stamps? Do those students and parents say, "Thank you, America?" No, they don't. When you get something you do not have to work for, you do not have respect for it. Not only don't most of the 7th grade students in my classroom detest the United States, but they also try to bring down other students. Their language, actions and writing is vile and violent. They have said, "You cannot be in our group because you are not Mexican." Yet, they think only Whites are racist; they cannot see it in themselves. To the Americans, I will say this quote, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." We are falling and America needs to get back to taking care of herself. Mexico is like an adult child that keeps taking from his parents, disrespecting them, and then stealing from them, too. America is so broke that we borrow money from China to give aid to other countries. How crazy is that?
Kick the spoiled brats out of our schools, universities and even our country when their agenda is to destroy us. Our country was founded on Christian principals; without them we have no America. "As President and gospel minister James A. Garfield stated, 'Now, more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation. . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.'�� (United Christians of Florida.)
When flying, there is a reason why you are told to first put the air mask on yourself, and then tend to those around you. America needs to take care of herself first and be proud of who she is and how was founded. We are founded on Christian principals. We are Christian people. Why are we belittled for that even by our nation's leader?

Thu May 12 2011 08:23

Do that in front of a Marine and see what happens. If you dont like it here then leave.

Wed May 11 2011 23:28

Another idiot who feels like he's 'entitled' to do something. What is he, a professional student? If they can't make it in the real world, they practically 'live' their lives at college.

Wed May 11 2011 20:55

I served in the United States Air Force from 1968 to 1974 and am a Vietnam Nam Vet. I fought to protect the parents that had this worthless Boy. The only thing I can say about this un- American is that the best part of him must have run down his mothers leg.

Wed May 11 2011 20:36

These people should be stripped of their American citizenship ( if they are), and deported back to their own countries... or maybe the US should exile them to a remote island (maybe Alcatraz can be re-opened for this purpose) and leave them to starve to death. If they hate the USA too much, then they should leave and not share in any of the freedoms and benefits living in this country. I recently became a US citizen and I recited the Pledge of Allegiance... and that speaks for itself...the respect for the American flag and what it represents.

Wed May 11 2011 18:46

I'm sure Obama and Michelle will be attending the event. What else can you say except that Liberalism is a Mental Disorder.

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