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Eric Sheppard Challenge: Stomping On American Flag Movement Goes Viral, Veterans Outraged

By Tara Dodrill
Published on: 01:04 PST, May 5, 2015

Eric Sheppard Challenge, a social media trend, encourages people to stomp on the American Flag. Viral videos of individuals from across the country standing and stomping on the flag have outraged veterans, active members of the military, and patriots of all ages.

Stomping on the American Flag during the Eric Sheppard Challenge is an exercise in free speech and protected by law. The legality of the flag stomping videos is not in dispute, the motivation for such an act is largely what veterans and patriots find both disgusting and disturbing.

Eric Sheppard disappeared from the Valdosta campus last week and is being sought by the police on the gun charge. Sheppard reportedly “self-identifies” as a “terrorist against white people.” College officials cancelled classes and ordered all non-essential staffers off campus in later April due to concerns that Sheppard, who was deemed “armed and dangerous,” would appear on the grounds.

“That 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,” Sheppard, who is now believed to be in hiding, said in a now viral video. Sheppard also said that the American flag represents “things that were erected alongside our genocide and our holocaust.”

https://youtu.be/-nBgQWhxAQc

The Eric Sheppard Challenge began after a police search was initiated for the black Georgia college student because his gun was found on the Valdosta campus during a series of anti-flag protests. The Valdosta anti-flag protests garnered national attention after Air Force veteran Michelle Manhart was detained by officers for grabbing one of the American flags.

“I’m a terrorist toward lies. I’m a terrorist toward liars. I’m a terrorist toward those who are wicked. So yes, I am a terrorist toward white people,” Sheppard said. “What I’m saying to you all is a warning of death that is coming upon this nation.”

The Georgia college student’s father, Eric Sheppard Sr., posted a statement in a local newspaper pleading with his son to turn himself in.

“Son, you know we love you and have always taught you to do the right thing and make wise decisions. Please make the right decision and turn yourself in, either to the authorities or to me, and we will handle this together.”

One Eric Sheppard Challenge participant, Erika Walker, was shown on a flag stomping viral video dancing on an American flag while shouting, “F**k your flag.”

What do you think about the Eric Sheppard Challenge to stomp on the American flag?

[Image via: Shutterstock.com]

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