Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams in 1992 reportedly burned a state flag that included the Confederate battle flag in its design, according to The New York Times.
Abrams, who attended the protest that took place on the steps of the Georgia Capitol when she was a freshman in college in 1992, said in a statement from her campaign that she took part in a “permitted, peaceful protest against the Confederate emblem in the flag,” and that the protest movement was eventually successful in getting the design of the state flag changed.
“During Stacey Abrams’ college years, Georgia was at a crossroads, struggling with how to overcome racially divisive issues, including symbols of the Confederacy, the sharpest of which was the inclusion of the Confederate emblem in the Georgia state flag,” the statement continued.
“This conversation was sweeping across Georgia as numerous organizations, prominent leaders, and students engaged in the ultimately successful effort to change the flag.”
“Abrams’ time in public service as deputy city attorney and as a state legislative leader have all been focused on bringing people together to solve problems.”
The Times could not reach a spokesperson for Abrams’ Republican opponent, Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp, for a comment.