Commercial Targets Murray On Flag Burning Amendment

A commercial due to air across the state next week asks people to lobby U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., to vote for a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning.

Murray already has made up her mind to oppose the measure. The ad is sponsored by the Indianapolis-based Citizens Flag Alliance. It exhorts people to “safeguard our flag.”

Murray is among a dozen senators the group is targeting as undecided on the flag-burning issue. But Murray said Thursday she would vote against such an amendment on grounds it violates First Amendment rights to free expression.

“I abhor the sight of an American flag being burned,” Murray said. “But the Constitution is a sacred document to me, and it should only be amended in ways that expand our rights instead of restricting them.”

Despite Murray’s comments, the 30-second spots will still run, said alliance spokesman Steve Moore.

The state’s other senator, Republican Slade Gorton, supports the amendment.

The anti-flag desecration amendment easily passed the House in June. Backers hope the Senate will approve it by year’s end.

If passed by the Senate, it would still have to be ratified by three-quarters of the states.