Johnson, along with other demonstrators marched through Dallas, chanting political slogans. In the midst of the protest, Johnson was handed an American flag from another protester. At the conclusion of the protest, in Dallas City Hall, Gregory Johnson unraveled the flag and drenched it in kerosene, setting it on fire. The demonstrators shouted, “ America, the red, white, and blue, we spit on you”, as they watched it burn. Several witnesses were offended and angered by his actions. However, no one was injured or threatened by the demonstration. Authorities charged Johnson with the desecration of a state or national flag. He was convicted and received a one-year prison sentence, and fined