US1 min(s) read
Published 16:49 23 Sep 2020 GMT
A group of veterans in Washington state has awarded a Black Lives Matter activist a college grant after she took action to prevent a US flag burning during a protest in Spokane, Fox News reports.
This particular protest, which took place over the summer, saw the 20-year-old put out the flames that were moments away from engulfing an American flag.
And the kind gesture of a college grant was a show of appreciation from the veterans for Lysa Cole's patriotism during a time where people should be united rather than divided.
According to Fox News, the grant amounted to more than $2,600.
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Cole, who lives in Spokane, told KHQ-TV:
"Saying 'Black Lives Matter' isn't saying 'Oh, I hate America' and saying 'Oh, I stand for the flag, I support our troops' is not saying, 'Oh, I hate all Black people.
"When you're saying 'Black Lives Matter,' it's also being patriotic because America was made to be an equal opportunity place for everybody."
Cole was out supporting the BLM cause during a protest on June 7.
Lysa explains her actions in this in-depth face-to-face interview:
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However, after the protest came to an end at around 5:00 PM, things became hostile. Namely, there was a group of men throwing a US flag around in the street before lighting it on fire.
Related - This woman made friends with a four-year-old girl who yelled out 'Black Lives Matter':
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When Cole saw this, she immediately took action. Quickly stamping out the flames, she then took it away with her so the men would not attempt to set it alight again.
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"Something bad is happening, and I have it in my power to be able to stop it," she told Fox 28. "I’m going to do that."
Cole lives by the idea that hate is not the answer. During the protest, in fact, she carried a sign which read "Black Lives Matter" as well as one which read "Hate does not make America great".
Leaders of the Spokane chapter of the Military Officers Association of America have said:
"These are the type of leaders that we want in the future. Ones that will step forward and look out for everyone."
Furthermore, David Melges, the chapter president, told the station. "She stood up for everybody that's ever fought for that flag."
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Cole told KHQ that she hopes to study psychology and law and eventually become a counselor for survivors of human trafficking.
According to reports, she is currently at community college in Spokane, with the hope of transferring to Eastern Washington University.
