GregoryLeeJohnson

Gregory Lee Johnson, known for acts such as burning American flags during Communist
demonstrations,hasovertheyearsbeenunclearastowhyhetookuponsuchdrasticactions.
Son to an imprisoned father and social activist mother, it is fair to say he grew up with a large developed
viewpoint in society and politics. In 1973, he dropped out of high school and at an early age, he joined
the U.S. Merchant Marine. He spent his time shipping cargo through sea. During his time there, he
visited places such as Panama and Mexico and observed American sociopolitical and economic
influencethere.
After moving to Florida in 1976, he joined the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade, in support of
the Communist Revolutionary Party. He participated at the 1984 Republican National Convention,
where he protested against the Reagan administration. As a communist and of a man of his background,
he is against the separation of people through class rank, especially when one class is favored
throughout others. Demonstrators were protesting the policies of the Reagan Administration and of
certain companies based in Dallas. They marched through the streets, shouted chants, and held signs
outside the offices of several companies. During the protest, one demonstrator handed Johnson an
American flag stolen from a flagpole outside one of the targeted buildings. When the demonstrators
reached Dallas City Hall, Johnson poured kerosene on the flag and set it on fire. During the burning of
the flag, demonstrators shouted such phrases as, "America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you,
you stand for plunder, you will go under," and "Reagan, Mondale, which will it be? Either one means
WorldWarIII."
Til this day, Johnson is still remained as an active member of the Revolution Communist Youth
Brigade,nowlivinginLosAngeles.
In 2003, Johnson visited the University of Southern California to talk about the case that had then
taken place almost 20 years ago. During his time there, he talked about the demonstration and the
purpose of the actions he took over there to the students of Professor Mary Dudziaks Constitutional
Law class. As Johnson quoted, It was a very determined protest. It was meant to be defiant. It was
fromthiscasethatthegovernmentmadealawtopunishanyoneforflagdesecration.