I thought that numerous courts have ruled it to be OK under the first Amendment.
I thought so too. Are some flags more equal than others? If you get my drift.
Not just any courts the UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ruled that burning a flag was protected under the first amendment that is why the congress has been trying for so many years to get a anti flag burning amendment added to the constitution because they cant just pass a regular law against it
It wasnt his property, you cant burn something that isnt yours and call it free speech, unforunetly, this IS arson. Although no doubt had it been like a Madagascar flag nothing would have come of it.