What constitutional right was affirmed in Texas vs. Johnson regarding flag burning?

The case of Texas vs. Johnson affirmed the right of free speech under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This landmark ruling, decided in 1989, involved a protestor who burned the American flag as a form of political expression, challenging laws against flag desecration. The Supreme Court held that the act of flag burning was a form of symbolic speech that expressed a political message, and as such, it was protected by the First Amendment.

The decision emphasized that the government cannot prohibit expression simply because it is controversial or offensive to some. It underscored the principle that free speech includes actions that convey ideas, even those that may be seen as disrespectful. The ruling reinforced the importance of protecting individual expression in a democratic society, ensuring that even unpopular or dissenting viewpoints are safeguarded under the law.