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NY 100-161445 : "IContemptuous Conduct' Cited "tSurely the government has a substantial, genuine and important interest in protecting the flag from public desecration by contemptuous conduct,' Hood wrote in a five-page opinion. "tWwe find the statute to.be a reasonable regulation . . . and it does not unnecessarily impinge on @ citizen's right to protest.' "Calling the ruling ‘really shocking,’ Lefcourt said the case would be taken to the U.S. Court of Appeals and, if it isn't overturned there, to the Supreme: Court. "Hoffman, 31, was arrested when he appeared to testify on his protest activities at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. “Gonvicted Nov. 20 "On Nov. 20, the late Judge Andrew J. Howard Jr. of the Court of General Sessions found Hoffman guilty and — sentenced him to 30 days in jail or a $100 fine. "Before the D.C. Appeals Court, Lefcourt argued that desecrating the American flag is ‘classic protest' and should be legally permitted as free speech. Hoffman's actions were ‘symbolic speech,’ he said. . "twe disagree,' Hood said in the opinion. ‘The First Amendment protects freedom of speech and not freedom of conduct. '" -18- 1S SEER AES NE TE ls PN IERIE III ILLS SO BPTI I EH BELEN, SE LY CELE OOO LTTE II EO SR ITN BNET