# Americans are split on whether burning a flag at a peaceful protest is protected speech

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/americans-are-split-on-whether-burning-a-flag-at-a-peaceful-protest-is-protected-speech/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. 46.4% of Americans think burning a U.S. flag at a nonviolent protest is protected free speech, 38.6% think it isn't and 15.0% aren't sure.

The question describes burning a U.S. flag during a nonviolent political protest. It asks what people believe, not what courts have ruled.

## Topline

Regardless of whether or not you believe it should be legal, is burning a U.S. flag during a non-violent political protest considered protected free speech?

Americans are split on whether burning a flag at a peaceful protest is protected speech.

- Yes, it is protected speech: 46.4%
- No, it is not protected speech: 38.6%
- Not sure: 15.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-25 → 2026-09-30
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.3%
- Module: Society, Culture, & Identity
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-54](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-54)

## Citation

APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-54](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-54)