TORONTO – Video of an American armed forces veteran, turned Playboy model, being detained by police has gone viral after the woman put herself front and centre of a flag controversy in Georgia.
38-year-old Michelle Manhart, who famously left a 14-year Air Force career behind after posing nude in Playboy, went to Valdosta State University (VSU) Friday upset that protesters were allegedly abusing the American flag.
“They had thrown it on the ground, they were walking on it, kicking it, you know, making different motions against the flag itself,” Manhart told WALB.
The former military training instructor decided to take action.
“This flag belongs to the entire United States,” Manhart can be heard saying on video after picking up the flag.
“Is that not theft?” a student replied while Manhart refused to relinquish it. “I swear to God, if this had been in the ‘hood, you’d have had me in handcuffs already,” the student said.
Eventually officers stepped in and were met with resistance from Manhart. She wasn’t arrested or charged – but she has been banned from campus.
Outraged at what had transpired, Manhart posted a video her daughter recorded of the incident on her Facebook account. It has since been viewed more than six million times at the time of this writing.
Manhart has received an avalanche of support since news first broke of her ordeal. VSU students even held a large rally Monday on campus to show their support.
The cause of the original protest remains unknown but Manhart believes it could have had something to do with ongoing racial tension in the United States.
“If your cause is racism then find some white people and walk on them,” Manhart said in a Valdosta Daily Times report.
One thing is certain – she has no regrets.
“If I had to do it again I would,” she added.
Manhart, along with some friends from the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, are planning another rally Friday where they will ride continuous circles around campus.
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