People took to social media to voice their concerns. Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as a year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment. Martinez said he tore down the flag that had been hanging from the United Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality.”Īs already stated, Martinez clearly committed a crime when he stole the rainbow flag from the Ames United Church of Christ and set fire to it outside the Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club, but the sentencing of 15 years has sparked a broader debate on whether or not the government overreached, especially in light of the fact that burning the American flag is now considered protected speech. The Associated Press NEVADA, Iowa - A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa. By Jim Hoft Published Jat 10:42am Comment. “The sentences are to be served consecutively, Story County court records show,” continued the Associated Press. Man Charged with Hate Crime for Burning Pride Flag in Iowa While Protester Awarded 225,000 for Burning US Flag in Cleveland.
MAN ARRESTED FOR BURNING GAY FLAG FULL
For the hate crime of burning an LGBT rainbow pride flag, Martinez received a full 15 years. For the crime of harassment, he received just 30 days. The man charged with tearing down an LGBTQ flag from an Ames church has been found guilty in a jury trial.Adolfo Martinez was found guilty Wednesday of a hate crime, third-degree harassment, and. A 49-year-old man was arrested on Friday for desecrating national flag and arson, after a number of China's flags were spotted burnt and left on the streets in Lok Fu on National Day.Police.
MAN ARRESTED FOR BURNING GAY FLAG FREE
Though many criticized 22-year-old Bryton Mellott for desecrating the flag, others argued that the act of defiance qualifies as free speech. “A man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for burning an LGBTQ flag that was flying at a church in central Iowa,” reports the Associated Press.įor the crime of reckless use of explosives or fire, 30-year-old Adolfo Martinez received one year in prison. A man who published an image of himself burning an American flag on Facebook was arrested in Urbana, Illinois, this week.
Anybody who steals someone else’s private property and then burns it to smoldering ash deserves some kind of punishment under the law, but do they deserve a full 16 years in prison if this act of vandalism is charged as a “hate crime?” One Iowa man now finds himself at the center of that controversial question. An Iowa man was arrested after vandalizing a rainbow flag outside a gay bar.