A giant American flag hangs from the West tower of the George Washington Bridge
A giant American flag hangs from the West tower of the George Washington Bridge in between New York and New Jersey ahead of the U.S.-Germany 2014 World Cup Group G soccer match June 26, 2014. REUTERS

Michelle Manhart, 38, was handcuffed by Georgia police after she took an American flag away from protesters who she said were desecrating the flag by trampling it. She was a former Air Force staff sergeant and a Playboy model while the protesters were Valdosta State University students.

“I did not want anything like this, but I got a call from a student who told me that the flag was on the ground, and they were walking on it,” Manhart told Valdosta Daily Times. She added that she did not know what the protesters’ cause was and she was just going to pick up the flag because it does not deserve to be on the ground.

Manhart was detained but not arrested, as the group of protesters reportedly did not press charges against her. On the other hand, she was issued a criminal trespass warning, effectively banning her from Valdosta State University.

The incident, which took place on April 17, sparked a debate over Manhart’s action. Some see her as a hero for defending the American flag while others think she is a hypocrite as she once posed naked with the flag in her background.

Manhart’s daughter recorded the confrontation between her, the students and the police. While clutching the flag, Manhart says on camera, “This flag belongs to the entire United States.” Watch the video here:

Credits: YouTube/Dustin Crossmanhart

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at c.altatis@ibtimes.com.au.