Abrams Defends Involvement In Burning State Flag, Confederate Symbol In 1992

Democrat Stacey Abrams’ role in a flag-burning protest resurfaced in The New York Times on Monday, the eve of her first debate against Republican Brian Kemp in the Georgia governor’s race. Her spokeswoman Abigail Collazo said Abrams was involved in a “permitted, peaceful protest against the Confederate emblem in the flag” while a student at Spelman College in Atlanta in 1992.

Amy Harris / Invision/AP

The campaign of Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams is defending her involvement in burning the state flag, which contained a prominent Confederate symbol, during a protest while in college more 25 years ago.

Abrams’ role in that flag-burning protest resurfaced in The New York Times on Monday, the eve of her first debate against Republican Brian Kemp. The paper cited a June 1992 Atlanta Journal-Constitution article; a caption for the accompanying photo identifies Abrams as a woman standing with her arms crossed, watching three other protesters burn the flag.

Abrams’ spokeswoman Abigail Collazo said Abrams was involved in a “permitted, peaceful protest against the Confederate emblem in the flag” while a student at Spelman College in Atlanta in 1992.