WATCH: White Conservatives Go Nuts, Police Detain Woman For Taking Flag From Protesters

[one_voice]

A group of student protesters at Valdosta State University were denouncing racism on campus and allegedly stepping on a U.S. flag, when a woman decided she did not like what they were doing. Michelle Manhart, an Air Force veteran, took the flag away from them and would not let go, even when cops intervened.

*snip*

In fact, while it was reported that they were stepping on it, the video only shows Mrs. Manhart complaining of the flag being torn. When she is told it’s not her property, she asserts:

This flag actually belongs to the entire United States.

The Supreme Court has already ruled on this. This is protected speech under the First Amendment. Congress has tried for years to get a constitutional amendment passed in order to override the Supreme Court but has failed time and time again.

Still, Mrs. Manhart didn’t see things this way.

If your cause is racism then find some white people and walk on them. But, to walk on the flag is walking on our symbol of freedom. You have the freedom to do what you are doing because of it. I’m not fighting against them. I’m fighting against the way they are going about it.

She and her conservative supporters just don’t understand. Yes, it is a symbol of our freedom, but it is precisely this freedom that enables them to use their flag and protest in the way they see fit. You tried to rob them of this.

Turns out, while Mrs. Manhart was initially detained, the police did not press charges. Go figure.

http://www.ifyouonlynews.com/videos/watch-white-conservatives-go-nuts-police-arrest-woman-for-taking-flag-from-protesters-video/

#t=146




edited to add:

found this interesting:

Manhart, a sergeant in the Air Force at the time, appeared in Playboy in 2007, posing in uniform, out of uniform and while draped with the American flag. She was reprimanded and demoted and quit the military the next year.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/air-force-vet-banned-from-ga-college-for-taking-fl/nkx6r/

[sharp_stick]

1. And yet these teabagging morons

parade around in full flag attire without the slightest thought that doing that is just as much an affront to their precious flag code as stepping on it is.



~original

[bravenak]

2. That was so weird.

I have no idea wft to think about that.

[951-Riverside]

3. These anti-america scum calling themselves "vets" like assaulting protesters over the flag

Sorry you fat headed thugs, just because you "served your country" doesn't give you the right to assault and deprive people of their 1st amendment right, you do not represent what the flag or the country you served.

Don't like it? Want forced nationalism? Go live in North Korea or China!

Its interesting that these right wing authoritarian thugs only show up to protests against police brutality, against racism and against the us torturing detainees but say nothing when its a right wing/tea party event.

[angrychair]

4. flag waving morons

Who gives a shit. A flag is some fabric with designs on it. That is what a flag is. It no more represents 'freedom' then any other flag. Lots and lots of countries have 'freedom'. Some even more than us. We don't have the lock on the term or concept. Hate this fascist, ultra-nationalistic bullshit. Flag waving doesn't make you a 'patriot' or a 'hero'. Want to show me how much you care about 'freedom'? Fight for the rights of someone to do or say something, in a peaceful manner, you would protest against is real 'freedom'.

[lumberjack_jeff]

5. Maybe the cops shoulda tackled this guy

I would pay money to watch that.

[NutmegYankee]

6. Ah. That key moment when even white privilege won't protect an asshole

That charges were not filed should be highlighted in the media. She was clearly resisting arrest.