Constitutional Law—Flag Misuse and the First Amendment—Spence v. Washington, 94 S. Ct. 2727 (1974)

Defendant Spence displayed an inverted American flag from his apartment window during the days following the Cambodian incursion and Kent State tragedy in 1970. Affixed to the flag was a peace symbol, formed with black tape. The Washington Supreme Court sustained a conviction for violation of Washington State\u27s improper use statute. On appeal to the Supreme Court, reversed. Held: The statute, as applied to defendant\u27s conduct, impermissibly infringed expression protected by the first amendment. Spence v. Washington, 94 S. Ct. 2727 (1974)