Gregory Lee Johnson burns an American flag outside Dallas City Hall at the Republican National Convention and is arrested under Texas's flag desecration statute

Gregory Lee Johnson, a member of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, burned an American flag outside Dallas City Hall on August 22, 1984, during a protest march against Reagan administration policies at the Republican National Convention. Johnson was the only demonstrator arrested and charged with violating Texas Penal Code § 42.09, which made it a Class A misdemeanor to intentionally desecrate a state or national flag in a way likely to seriously offend onlookers. Johnson was convicted, sentenced to one year in jail, and fined $2,000. He appealed, arguing the flag burning was protected symbolic speech under the First Amendment.