What did the case Texas v. Johnson establish?

The case Texas v. Johnson established that flag burning is a form of free speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. This landmark ruling came about after Greg Johnson burned an American flag as a means of protest during the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas. The Supreme Court held that the act of burning the flag was expressive conduct, and it conveyed a particular message that was deserving of protection under the free speech clause.

The Court determined that even though flag burning might be offensive to many, the government cannot prohibit expression simply because it is controversial or unpopular. This ruling reinforced the principle that the First Amendment safeguards individual rights to express ideas, even through symbolic acts like flag burning, as part of a larger political expression. The decision underscored the importance of protecting all forms of speech, especially in a democratic society, regardless of whether such speech aligns with popular sentiment or social norms.