Opinion of the Court

[Elli Iacobellis]

In a 5 to 4 decision, the court voted in favor of Johnson.

The court decided Johnson's actions were expressive conduct and therefor the First Amendment protected him. "[i]f there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that the Government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because society finds the idea itself offensive or disagreeable."

Sources:
h t t p : / / w w w .oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1988/1988_88_155