There's an infamous photograph of a Black man being struck with an American flag in 1970s Boston, I believe around the City Hall area. People were protesting the "busing" issue.

One man held him up while another guy essentially stabbed him with the US flag.

For years I thought it had to be staged but it was a real picture. I won't post it here but easy to look up.

Worth noting that this ugly incident took place in one of the more progressive Northern states.