Editor,
Recently, KOAT, campusreform.org and theblaze.com ran a story regarding UNM officials demanding that a student remove the American flag displayed in his dorm room window because it extended into what the University defined as public space. Tell me, when did public spaces become exempt from the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
The American flag is the symbol of our nation. It’s known and respected throughout the world. It’s also disrespected abroad and, unfortunately, at home. Display of a flag, regardless of nationality or meaning, has time and time again been protected by the First Amendment.
Unfortunately, UNM Director of Media Relations Dianne Anderson was quoted in the article ran by campusreform.org saying, “A window is considered ‘public space,’” meaning that under UNM policy flags cannot be displayed from dorm room windows. I think this policy is absolutely and completely ridiculous, and a violation of our freedom of speech. Flags of all nationalities and meanings are a common sight in the dorm room windows.
The freedom of speech granted by the First Amendment of the Constitution extends to acts of expression that aren’t necessarily verbal speech. That fact that UNM officials demanded the flag to be taken down is concerning to me and too many students who share my love for our nation. I hope students continue to display the American flag or the flag of their choosing for all to see.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Aguilar
Daily Lobo reader
