KSU President Sam Olens speaks out again against arrest of citizen journalist Nydia Tisdale 06/26/17

KSU President and former AG Sam Olens speaks out, again, against the arrest of citizen journalist Nydia Tisdale while video recording an open-to-the-public, campaign rally held at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawson County, Dawsonville, Georgia on August 23, 2014.

Dawson County Sheriff’s Captain Tony Wooten frogmarched Nydia Tisdale out of the rally and frotteurized her against the checkout counter inside the barn at Burt’s farm.

The case is pending in the courts.

CAROLYN CARLSON: Now to officially welcome you to Kennesaw [State University], I want to introduce our President, um, Sam Olens. Sam, as many of you know, is a long-time supporter of transparency in government dating back to his days as Chairman of the Cobb County Commission, and as Attorney General for the State of Georgia, and, in fact, the Georgia First Amendment Foundation has granted him a few years ago our highest honor, the Weltner Freedom of Information award for his work on Georgia’s Open Records and Open Meetings law. So, we’re happy to have you with here.

SAM OLENS: Thank you. So, it's a pleasure to be here, um, do you have me in the right focus, uh, Nydia? [LAUGHTER.]

NYDIA TISDALE: You’re perfect. Thank you, President Olens.

SAM OLENS: Could you make me tall? thin? Go for it. [LAUGHTER.] So it’s a pleasure to be here. It’s a pleasure to have you at KSU … So, it’s my pleasure, look forward to you all having a great program.

I was at Nydia’s infamous arrest. As Nydia would tell you, I was the only elected official who actually defended her, uh, because you don’t arrest the Press for videoing a group gathering. [APPLAUSE.]

NYDIA TISDALE: And, thank you.

SAM OLENS: That’s just a fact. You don’t do it. That wasn’t appropriate. Uh, and I’m sure I’m going to see this as it gets closer to her trial. [LAUGHTER.] Thank you all very, very much. Thank you.

Video still of Sam Olens by Nydia Tisdale.
Photo of Nydia Tisdale by John McCosh.

Watch 10-minute welcome here:
Watch 2-hour workshop here:

“Nydeo” by Nydia Tisdale for .
Please $upport Nydeos via PayPal at NydiaTisdale@hotmail.com.