We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. While it’s never OK to destroy others’ property, it seems Martinez’s punishment is incredibly harsh considering how other flag burners are able to get away with their crimes against the symbol of America itself. Iowa Man Sentenced to 16 Years In Prison For Burning Church’s LGBT Pride Flag. Apparently, you can burn any flag you want consequence-free, but be prepared to spend nearly two decades in prison if you burn a flag belonging to the LGBT community in the state of Iowa. One man was accused of committing one of these cardinal social sins after refusing to have sex with a man who claimed to be a woman. Man Sentenced to 17 Years in Prison for Burning a Gay Pride Flag. Meanwhile, accusations of hate crimes can even be thrown at people for what they refuse to do. RELATED: LGBT Anthem Protester Rapinoe Thanks Sports Illustrated for Award by Bashing It in Acceptance Speech A man from Ames, Iowa, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for stealing an LGBT flag from a local church and subsequently burning it, next to a local gay club, The Washington Times reported Thursday. This lopsided definition of hate crime appears to be the new normal in many places in America.Įarlier this month, Florida prosecutors declined to pursue hate crime charges after a young boy was viciously ganged up on and beaten, reportedly over his support of President Donald Trump. After spending 16 years in prison, he will have to explain a hate crime charge to any prospective employers.
IOWA MAN SENTACED TO 16 YEARS FOR BURNING GAY PRIDE FLAG PLUS
Video of the 2017 flag burning can be seen below.ĭespite burning multiple flags using fire, it seems these protesters didn’t even get a slap on the wrist.įor Martinez, however, his actions will haunt him for the rest of his life. NEVADA, Iowa, Decem(LifeSiteNews) A man who was arrested this summer for stealing and then lighting a church’s LGBT rainbow pride flag on fire has been sentenced to prison for 16 years.Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, Iowa was found guilty last month of having committed a hate crime arson plus reckless use of explosives or fire. “I see social injustice from Native American genocide to African-American slavery to failing to recognize women as citizens until the 20th century.” “When I see the flag, I see racial injustice,” one protester said. The act of setting fire to an LGBT rainbow flag in Ames, Iowa, in June 2019 did ultimately result in Adolfo Martinez receiving a total sentence of 16 years in prison. As the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported in 2017, protesters there were able to not only burn multiple American flags but insult the very country that guaranteed them the freedom to do so without being persecuted.