The VSU Flag stomping protest has brought sunlight upon a series of events on the VSU campus that has now expanded in an alarming manner. This is no longer even remotely related to disrespecting or burning a flag.
VALDOSTA, Ga. — At 3:05 p.m. Wednesday, from the steps of Valdosta State University’s West Hall, the father of Eric Sheppard issued the following the statement:
“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. We love you and are here for you, as you requested.”
— Eric Sheppard Sr., father of Eric Sheppard.
At the heart of the issue is a student agitator named Eric Sheppard Jr. who previously organized an event to stomp on the U.S.A. flag and then burn it.
An Air Force veteran, Michelle Manhart, inadvertently brought sunlight upon the VSU activity when she picked up the flag and would not allow it to be desecrated – she was initially arrested, then released.
The student group behind the Flag Burning initially refused to identify themselves. However, through researching the social media of event participants we discovered who they were, and more importantly identified their ideology.
Eric Sheppard Jr. was the organizer of the event, and is an advocate for a militant Black Supremacy movement. He is pictured throughout his social media profile with alarming messages supporting violence and carrying numerous weapons.
By itself the protest would be, and was, considered protected by “free speech” by the governing administration of Valdosta State University.
However several VSU students reported direct threats by Eric Sheppard. When police investigated those threats they found, in addition to the numerous weapons pictured, Sheppard was armed -on campus- with a handgun and two fully loaded magazines.
Sheppard made several threats just before immediately fleeing the campus, and has been on the run for the past two days. Along with the university, the surrounding community is nervous and on edge.
From the outside looking into the community many people may think the VSU student body response, the local police and the FBI seem overly concerned. Indeed if you were just to look at the media presentations of the story there seems to be something missing.
The missing element is the scope of the group headed by Eric Sheppard Jr., and the specific threats of the group itself as they relate to direct and very violent intentions.
The part that’s missing from the media coverage of the story is the relationship between the Black Supremacy group headed by Sheppard, and their direct attachment to Islamic radicalism.
A type of radical Islam beyond the rhetoric of the New Black Panther Party and even beyond that espoused by Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam.
Several alarming videos have now surfaced where Eric Sheppard Jr. and his compatriots are telling students at VSU of their intents to kill, and slaughter the white students on campus.
Video #1 (@5:52) […] “we are separated from America” … “we have to kill our oppressors”… (@7:10) [white people] are “imposing Christianity upon us”.
Video #6 (@00:15) “this is the end times of America”… (@1:00) our goal is to “kill his ass, lynch his ass, skin his ass”…
Video #4 (@00:35) [directly speaking only to white students] “I hate you”… “I don’t promote peace and love”… “To be honest with you, I hate you”.
Video #2 (@00:55) “I’m not here to promote love of all people” …
Each of the above videos was taken on Tuesday. The altercation with Michelle Manhart, which drew in the national attention, occurred the previous Friday.
From the social media of Sheppard (and his group) the intensity of their anxiety toward the student body at VSU was exponentially escalating.
Valdosta, GA – Tensions rise at Valdosta State University as a manhunt continues for one of its own.
Eric Sheppard is accused of bringing a handgun to an anti-flag protest on the University’s campus Tuesday.
Arrest warrants were signed by a Lowndes County Judge charging Sheppard with bringing weapons in a school safety zone, which is a felony. Authorities say Sheppard is also being investigated by the FBI for possibly making Terroristic Threats on social media.
The VSU Student became the face of the anti-flag protest, after he was seen wrestling Air Force Veteran, Michelle Manhart, for an American flag; a flag protestors had been walking on.
Tuesday, as anti-flag protests continued, a backpack was found abandoned on campus, that according to VSU Police, who say the gun was linked to Sheppard. Since then, Sheppard has been on the run.
This afternoon, a perimeter was formed between Williams and Slater Streets near the University’s campus after two citizens reported seeing Sheppard, but he was not found. Now, Sheppard’s parents and police, are begging him to turn himself in.
“Son, you know we love you, and have always taught you to do the right thing and to make wise decisons. Please make the right decision and turn yourself in to either the authrorities, or to me, and we will handle this together”, pleaded Eric Sheppard Sr. on the steps of West Hall, standing beside VSU President, William McKinney.
“He has not done anything to outright hurt anybody, so I’m asking him and looking at cameras when I’m telling you, Eric, come on in. Your parents want you to come in. We want you to come in. Come talk to us. Come talk to the police. We’ll get this sorted out”, said Valdosta Police Chief, Brian Childress, at the scene of the perimeter.
Valdosta Police say Sheppard is considered armed and dangerous. If you see Eric Sheppard, dial 911. (link)
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