A bit of fascism comes to Asheville?

Here is a copy of the rarely used North Carolina law, that makes flag desecration a Class 2 misdemeanor:

Article 52.
Miscellaneous Police Regulations.
§ 14‑381. Desecration of State and United States flag.
It shall be unlawful for any person willfully and knowingly to cast contempt upon any flag of the United States or upon any flag of North Carolina by public acts of physical contact including, but not limited to, mutilation, defiling, defacing or trampling. Any person violating this section shall be deemed guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The flag of the United States, as used in this section, shall be the same as defined in 4 U.S.C.A. 1 and 4 U.S.C.A. 2. The flag of North Carolina, as used in this section, shall be the same as defined in G.S. 144‑1.(1917, c. 271; C.S., s. 4500; 1971, c. 295; 1993, c. 539, s. 253; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)

A local activist had this to say about the incident:

The Kuhns were engaged in a legal and constitutionally protected expression of dissent. Like it or not. But to call it a "desecration," is to exaggerate. Apparently it offended someone enough to call the authorities, and to make a personal visit to the Kuhn's in combat camouflage clothing. Intimidation? An attempt to terrorize?" That seems like the real crime here.

Clare, the local activist who wrote the piece above, points out that desecration of the flag is legal in the USA, even though the majority of us don’t feel that what the Kuhn’s did was desecration at all. It was a political statement, done at their home. She also gives some background information on the prior visit by Asheville Police officer, which resulted in no arrests and no citations.

But, it is the breaking into the home that I find most disturbing. This deputy felt he had the right to go into their home against their wishes to deliver a citation for a misdemeanor. He could have just mailed it to them. Deputy Scarborough acted like a jack-booted thug in my opinion. While he was inside the home, Mrs. Kuhn called 911 and then ran out into the street while her husband dealt with Deputy Scarborough.

As Clare wrote:

When the Kuhns' refused the officer entry to their home, and declined to produce Identification cards so he could issue a ticket, the situation escalated. The officer claims the Kuhns closed the door on his hand, breaking the window in the process. But they did close the door, and that is an important point. They did refuse consent to an illegal entrance into their home by an officer whose provincial understanding of the law, combined with his lack of restraint and judgment, and with no warrant or probable cause, engaged in an illegal breaking and entry that resulted in a horrific violation of rights and a demonstration of out of control police power.

Final words from Clare:

So, if you have a flag, turn it upside down today. Fly it as a potent symbol of distress. Fly it in solidarity with Mark and Deborah Kuhn. We must not stand by while dissent is criminalized and outspoken citizens are assaulted. Call the Buncombe County Sheriff Department's Public Information Officer, Lt. Randy Sorrells, at 828-250-4473 and voice your concern. There is a pending criminal case, according to Lt. Sorells, and well there should be.

If you come to Asheville, please put a flag on your car and turn it upside down. And feel free to call the Buncombe Country Sheriff’s office if you feel inclined. And if you want to see a picture of someone desecrating a US flag by writing on it, take a look here.