Local law enforcement officials said a protest on the campus of Valdosta State University on Friday was generally peaceful, the Associated Press reported.
Classes were canceled at the school for the day because of safety concerns surrounding the “Flags Over VSU” rally intended to show support for the American flag.
An increased law enforcement presence on campus had been planned.
Tensions have been high at Valdosta State since a protest last week at which demonstrators walked on an American flag.
An Air Force veteran was banned from the south Georgia university after taking the flag from the protesters.
Then, police performing extra security patrols at the school Tuesday afternoon in light of the protest found a backpack on school property with a handgun inside that they linked to a campus protester.
University police this week issued an arrest warrant for the demonstrator, identified as Eric Sheppard. Authorities Friday were trying to locate Sheppard, who they said they believed to be in hiding and is considered armed and dangerous. Initially, police said there was no evidence that he was on university property.
WALB-TV in Albany reported that Sheppard claimed in a video posted on YouTube that the American flag "represents white supremacy racism which is plaguing the entire earth, so when we step on that flag, we are stepping on racism, white supremacy."
Friday’s safety concerns weren’t confined to the Valdosta State campus, which plans to resume normal operations for all classes and events scheduled for Saturday.
The Valdosta Daily Times reported that extra police were in place Friday at Lowndes County High School, where principal Jaybez Floyd said, "Due to the events at VSU and text messages that have circulated with our students, we will have extra security measures for our campus today."
Floyd said there would be no protests on the high school’s campus.
About the Author
