Protesters were burning American flags on the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City earlier this afternoon when a man took matters into his own hands.

PLEASE NOTE: The video below contains a large number of vulgarities.

Kelli Ebensberger, 20, of Iowa City and Paul Osgerby, 23, of Ames both were charged with open burning. Iowa City Police Department Sergeant Scott Gaarde told the Gazette, "They were not cited for what they were burning. They were cited for open burning and not having an open burning permit issued by the fire department.”

If convicted, the two could each face a fine of up to $650 and up to 30 days in jail.

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