A Former Playboy Model Tussled With Cops Over An American Flag Being ‘Desecrated’

In 2007, Air Force staff sergeant Michalle Manhart was discharged from her position after appearing in Playboy. She’s continued to have it both ways, though: Manhart posed nude or nearly-nude for PETA and Operation Calendar, and she attempted to prove her patriotism by “protecting [the] U.S. flag for desecration.” The scene happened at Georgia’s Valdosta State University, where Manhart showed up during a protest against racial inequality.

She claims that a student called her to say a flag was being mistreated, and when she arrived, the former Playboy model intended to pick up the flag off the ground. “I don’t know what their cause is,” she said. “But I went to pick it up because it doesn’t deserve to be on the ground.”

When the cops appeared, they detained Manhart, who was “arguing with protesters while holding the flag” and yelling, “This belongs actually to the entire United States.”

Manhart can also be seen struggling with Valdosta State University Police before being detained. She was ultimately given a criminal trespass warning, the Daily Times reported, which effectively bans her from any university activity.

In a statement posted on the college’s website, Valdosta State University President William J. McKinney said the American flag “represents everything that is best about our country” but said the demonstrators had a right to do so. (Via)

You can watch a video of the encounter above.

(Via AJC)

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