What form of expression did Texas v. Johnson recognize as protected by the First Amendment?

Texas v. Johnson is a landmark Supreme Court case that specifically recognized flag burning as a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment. The Court ruled that the act of burning the American flag, while offensive to many, constitutes a form of expression that conveys a particular message or viewpoint, and thus must be safeguarded under the protections of free speech. The decision was based on the idea that the First Amendment protects not just spoken or written words but also actions that communicate a stance or idea.

In this case, the significance lies in the recognition that symbolic actions, such as flag burning, can carry substantial weight as expressions of dissent or protest, prompting the Court to protect this form of expression even when it might provoke strong emotional responses from the public. This ruling reinforces the principle that the government cannot prohibit expression simply because it is controversial or offensive to some individuals, thus establishing the importance of protecting diverse forms of speech in a democratic society.