URBANA, IL (AP) – An Illinois man’s flag-burning protest has led to his arrest on Independence Day on charges including flag desecration.
Pictures posted on Bryton Mellott’s Facebook page over the weekend showed him holding a burning American flag, and he wrote that he’s “not proud to be an American.” The message appears to have been removed, but a picture remains.
Urbana police were alerted to the post and say officers noticed commenters threatening Mellott and his employer, Walmart. Police say after speaking to both Mellott and Walmart, Mellott was taken into custody out of concern for his safety.
Walmart says it’s cooperating with the investigation.
The 22-year-old Mellott is set to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon. He hasn’t returned a request for comment.What others are clicking on: