Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 13, 1990 TAG: 9006130557
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Wilder said Tuesday he promised during last year's race for governor to support any measure necessary to prevent desecration of the flag.
"Having been sent to die for the cause of the flag, my sentiments are such that it arouses in me a great deal of emotion," said Wilder, a Korean War veteran. "I would indeed support the amendment."
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday that a federal law banning flag desecration violated the the First Amendment right to free speech.
The ruling revived calls in Congress for a constitutional amendment to ban flag desecration. An amendment would require the support of two-thirds of Congress and would have to be ratified by 38 state legislatures.
Christopher Spanos, a lobbyist for the American Civil Liberties Union, said the amendment could run into trouble in the General Assembly.
"There would be a lot of talk about it but it wouldn't go through," Spanos said.
Other bills to limit free speech by banning obscene T-shirts and bumper stickers have been killed in committee, he said.
But Spanos conceded that Wilder's support of a flag-burning amendment could change some minds.
by CNB