Photos and video of Milwaukee police officers folding a flag burned during a demonstration downtown Tuesday night are generating a lot of reaction on social media.
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The GOP debate drew hundreds of people in an otherwise peaceful rally and march that were organized by civil rights groups Voces de la Frontera Action and Black Lives Matter, and living-wage activists with the group Fight for $15.
During the debate, police said they extinguished a flag someone in the crowd set on fire.
It’s not clear which group this particular protester was with, but Reuters reporter Brendan O’Brien was one of several to point out the flag burning on Twitter, which happened just after 7 p.m. outside the theatre.
Police said the use of the fire extinguisher prompted reports of tear gas being used, but said that was never deployed.
The department posted a video on Facebook and it’s going viral.
“I want to thank the Milwaukee police officers who intervened, and treated the flag with the respect and reverence it deserves”.
Burning the USA flag, while widely considered an act of disrespect, is protected by the first amendment.
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The flag was taken to be inventoried for possible charges against the protester.
