She explains the picture symbolizes “challenging authority”

Nov 22, 2012 14:37 GMT  ·  By

Lindsey Stone, an employee at an NGO for adults with disabilities, took a picture of herself flipping off a “silence and respect” sign at the Arlington Cemetery.

The controversial picture sparked outrage on Facebook, where a “Fire Lindsey Stone” page was created, and thousands supported the initiative with a “Like.”

As I reported yesterday, Stone's employer, LIFE, suspended her, along with the coworker who took the photo.

“The photo has since been removed from Facebook, and both employees have been placed on unpaid leave pending the results of an internal investigation,” they state.

Lindsey fights those who dub her actions disrespectful, even disgusting:

“OBVIOUSLY we meant NO disrespect to people that serve or have served our country,” she writes on Facebook, defending her actions.

The picture signified “challenging authority in general. Much like the pic posted the night before, of me smoking right next to a no smoking sign,” she adds, according to Gawker.

It seems like, in this day and age, the silliest of things are dubbed offensive. Lindsey's photo may be in bad taste, but does anyone have the right to censor her and ask for her dismissal? Leave your response in the comment section.