A Georgia university shut down on Friday in preparation for a huge demonstration after a video of protesters trampling an American flag went viral.

Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress told the Valdosta Daily Times that thousands of people who "just want to come down here and support the American flag" were expected to descend on Valdosta State University at 1:30 p.m. ET.

The rally is a response to a video of students walking on a flag last Friday to protest racism, reported NBC affiliate WALB.com....

Kim Thompson, who lives a 30-mile drive from Valdosta in Pavo, told NBC News that she and a friend would be at the rally to "show that we're proud of our flag and we support our country."