Background: Senate Bill 4 would make it a misdemeanor to display an unapproved flag on any public property. If a flag is not on the list of approved flags that contain exceptions for the flags like the National flag, the Freedom Flag, and the flag of the Boy Scouts. This ban may directly criminalize protestors from holding or flying flags on public property, as well as criminalizing Greek fraternities or sororities who display their flags on public campuses or other public property.
Our Position: We oppose SB4. Flags are part of an individual's expression, and the ACLU of Alabama believes that these rights to expression are protected by the First Amendment, especially in public spaces.
