Letter writer Lorraine Gilmore (“Pledging — and practicing — allegiance to the flag,’’ Sept. 3) misses the basic point of the First Amendment and those who practice nonviolent protest. They are not rejecting their country. They love it and are making the point that they think it can do better.

To exile Americans who ask more and better of America would be counter to everything the flag and national anthem symbolize.

Maureen Milliken

South Portland, Maine