On Flag Burning

[RebelSansCause]

DISCLAIMER: Before I pose my question I would like to make something completely and totally CRYSTAL CLEAR so as not to get flamed. I support the right to burn the American Flag and view said burning as speech protected under the 1st Amendment. Furthermore, I consider any amendment passed by Congress that would make said aforementioned flag burning illegal an infringement on our civil liberties. END DISCLAIMER

Now, with that said, I pose to all of you a scenario followed by a question. You are planning a protest against the Iraq War, and it is to be a big protest, one that is highly visible and covered by the MSM and witnessed by many spectators. One of the organizers of the protest puts forth the idea of burning an American flag. you alone have sole veto power over this action. Do you burn the flag? By doing so, do you discredit the movement? Do you even believe it should be legal to burn the flag? (i.e. do you support a flag burning amendment)

My friend and I got in an argument about this just the other day. I put forth the idea that the burning of the flag would be the way for me to express the fact that I love this country and I am horrified at what it has become. He said that since most "average" people who witnessed the action will just believe that I hate America it would be a bad move on principle. Besides that, he believe the flag to be a symbol of this country, one that is sacred and should not be burnt (other than to dispose of it since that is actually the legal way that one is supposed to rid oneself of an American flag). I believe that the flag is a symbol of this country, and that in times of distress, burning it should send a most excellent message to the establishment. Whose opinions do you agree with?

Please give me some serious discussion here, I believe in the burning of the flag on principle but should it not be done because of how it will be perceived?

EDIT: forgot the word "burning"