"Is the desecration of an american flag, by burning , or otherwise ,a form of speech that is protected under the first amendment?" In 5 to 4 decision, Johnson's burning of a flag was protected expression under the first amendment. That Johnson's cations fell into category of expressive conduct , and distinctively political nature. That doesn't justify prohibitions of speech. I agree because i get he burned our flag, but it shouldn't be something where he gets puts in jail for life. Affects life to know if you burn the flag like what he did is you would get punished and put in jail.