Woman told she can't fly American Flag outside her home

Julia Lease has flown an American flag outside her Ohio residence for the past 36 years, but now she's being told to take down Old Glory.

Lease says, "They want this flag taken down because they says it detracts from the looks of the apartment complex. Well, I can't see how an American flag can detract from anything."

Eighty-six-year-old Lease says she found a notice in her door but kept the flag up regardless. She was told her complex will take it down after sending a second notice -- something Lease called "stealing."

Fox News seemed to agree with her definition: "The rental company says tenants are not allowed to hang anything from their units and allowing an American flag would be considered unfair ... she isn't giving up because the flag is 'something worth fighting for.' Bless her heart."

And now according to The Washington Times, people are stepping up to defend Lease, including veterans groups and politicians.

But a representative for New Life Multi-Family Management, which owns Lease's property, says the policy is "neutral" and it's not about the flag. It's an overarching rule that says no one can affix things to their buildings.

There is actually a law that allows people to fly their flags, at least at condominiums. It says:

"A condominium association, cooperative association, or residential real estate management association may not adopt or enforce any policy, or enter into any agreement, that would restrict or prevent an association member from displaying the U.S. flag on residential property."

As for Lease, she's wondering why this is a problem now, after 36 years. We contacted a local reporter who said a new company purchased the complex in 2011. However, that still means three years passed before the company said anything about the flag.