When may an individual burn a cross according to the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court has ruled that cross burning is protected under the First Amendment as a form of free speech, provided it is not intended to intimidate or threaten individuals. In the 2003 case Virginia v. Black, the Court held that cross burning can be considered a form of hate speech, but it must be shown that the act was intended to intimidate someone to be prosecutable. Therefore, while the act itself is generally protected, context matters significantly in determining its legality.