4 Seized After Burning Flags on Capitol Steps

WASHINGTON —  Four people shouting “Burn, baby, burn!” torched three American flags on the central steps of the U.S. Capitol today in a bid to test the new federal law protecting the national symbol from desecration.

All four demonstrators were arrested by Capitol police.

“We defy your law,” said Nancy Kent, a spokeswoman for the flag burners, reading from a prepared statement. “We challenge you. Arrest us. Test your statute. Take it back to the Supreme Court and try once again to claim it is all consistent with your constitutional standards of free speech.”

The law, which President Bush allowed to take force without his signature, went into effect at midnight Friday.

The flag-burning demonstration had been scheduled for noon on the marble plaza of the Supreme Court. Organizers announced that it had been moved and led photographers and television cameras to the Capitol steps.

One demonstrator produced a flag and ripped it.

Two policemen tore the pieces of the flag from his hands.

Behind them another man produced a flag and set it afire.

Two other flags also were set ablaze as the four demonstrators chanted, “Burn, baby, burn!”