WAUSAU (AP) - A U.S. flag being flown upside down as a protest in a small northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade. The businessman flying the flag claims police trespassed and stole his property.
The American Civil Liberties Union is researching whether to take legal action against the village of Crivitz for violating Vito Congine Jr.'s, First Amendment rights.
The ACLU's state director, Chris Ahmuty says the decision to seize the flag appears to be blatantly illegal. Police gave it back the next day.
Congine says he flew the flag upside down outside the restaurant he wants to open to protest the village board's decision to deny him a liquor license. Marinette County Sheriff Jim Kanikula says it's not illegal to fly the flag upside down as a signal of distress, but many people think it's disrespectful.
