URBANA, Ill. (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, Wal-Mart. Police say after speaking to both Mellott and Wal-Mart, Mellott was taken into custody out of concern for his safety.
Wal-Mart 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.
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