On April 17, 2015, a protest group, which included Eric Sheppard, walked on the American Flag in the front of Odum Library at Valdosta State University. This was in an effort to protest racism in our country. Shortly after, a local veteran, Michelle Manhart, was detained for taking the flag from the protest group in what was her attempt to be able to dispose of the ripped flag properly. She was not charged but was banned from VSU in the future (ValdostaDailyTimes). I could not believe what I was hearing or seeing on the news so close to home. A Valdosta State student was purposefully walking on the flag. I understand that they tried to show their frustration and protest against something they believe in, but handling it a different way outcomes
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I cannot fathom what one thinks they would prove by performing such an act. This disturbing and controversial attack on the flag lead to flag-stomping protest across the nation and on public social media. The American Flag stands for freedom and no group of protesters can take that away. To have someone desecrate the American Flag they should punish these people by nothing less than sending them to a country that doesn’t have any of the freedom we do. They might think more of the flag and the freedom it represents when that very freedom is stripped from them and no longer …show more content…
While VSU’s outer perimeter was packed full with vehicles and pedestrians, the campus itself resembled a ghost town, apart from the heavy police presence. In preparation for what university officials feared would be heated counter-demonstrations, they decided to shut down the university ahead of the rally. Everyone came out to show their support for not only the flag but to the Air Force staff sergeant who was briefly detained after attempting to steal and save the flag from under the protester 's feet. Cars honked, the crowd chanted, engines roared, and patriotic songs blared from passing vehicles. All in support of our country’s flag, which was held high throughout the entire rally. Kim Thompson, of Pavo, stated "I think it 's going to be amazing. I think it 's actually going to be part of history".
I cannot fathom what one thinks they would prove by performing such an act. This disturbing and controversial attack on the flag lead to flag-stomping protest across the nation and on public social media. The American Flag stands for freedom and no group of protesters can take that away. To have someone desecrate the American Flag they should punish these people by nothing less than sending them to a country that doesn’t have any of the freedom we do. They might think more of the flag and the freedom it represents when that very freedom is stripped from them and no longer …show more content…
While VSU’s outer perimeter was packed full with vehicles and pedestrians, the campus itself resembled a ghost town, apart from the heavy police presence. In preparation for what university officials feared would be heated counter-demonstrations, they decided to shut down the university ahead of the rally. Everyone came out to show their support for not only the flag but to the Air Force staff sergeant who was briefly detained after attempting to steal and save the flag from under the protester 's feet. Cars honked, the crowd chanted, engines roared, and patriotic songs blared from passing vehicles. All in support of our country’s flag, which was held high throughout the entire rally. Kim Thompson, of Pavo, stated "I think it 's going to be amazing. I think it 's actually going to be part of history".