Burning a gay flag is a hate crime

Fifteen years in Iowa jail for burning pride flag. He was arrested later that day, and told local media in a jail house interview that he was "guilty as charged". The Iowa Supreme Court affirmed the hate crime conviction Friday of a man who posted hand-written notes at homes with rainbow flags and emblems, urging them to “burn that gay flag.” The.

Adolfo Martinez, 30, admitted to his crimes in a jailhouse interview. Skip to content. Explore the legal analysis of when burning a pride flag crosses from protected expression to a hate crime, based on circumstance and proven motivation.

However, because the flag burned by Martinez was an LGBT symbol, and because Martinez himself said this was his motivation for setting fire to it, prosecutors added a hate crime enhancement to the. The incident occurred around midnight on 11 June in downtown Ames, Iowa.

Fifteen years in Iowa

After leaving the club, Martinez then travelled to the church and ripped down its flag. Google Maps. He was found guilty last month of hate crime harassment, reckless use of fire and being a habitual offender. Share Save. The Iowa man was found guilty of committing a hate crime against the Iowa gay community.

Church pastor Eileen Gebbie, who identifies as gay woman, says she agrees that Martinez' actions were motivated by hatred. Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said Martinez was the first person in the county's history to be convicted of a hate crime.

He also threatened to burn down the bar. A US judge has handed down a sentence of at least 15 years to a man who stole an LGBT pride flag from a church and burned it outside a strip club. The interview was entered into the trial as evidence against him.

Is Burning a Pride

It's a blessing from the Lord," he said, explaining that he did it because he "opposed homosexuality". Police say the crime spree began at Dangerous Curves, a strip club, when police were called because a man was making threats. By the time they arrived, he had already been kicked out by bar staff.

Burning the Bible and the pride flag are protected by the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, but circumstances of the burning can lead to charges for hate crime or other types of crimes. Adolfo Martinez, 30, admitted to the media that he took the flag from Ames United Church of Christ due to his animosity towards homosexuals.

He then returned to the strip club where he used lighter fluid to burn the flag in the street. Police handout.