I had complained to
my state representatives that I was being harassed and followed every time I
went to the capitol. They apparently did not believe me. I decided to document
this on video camera.
It was Tuesday
December 7, 1999. I went to Pierre with my camera and the knowledge of
Abdallah's threat that if I "F--- around" (his words, not mine) the
capitol building he would take my freedom. Being a patriotic American, I was
not about to let this abuse of power go unchallenged even if it did mean
persecution.
In order to avoid
an unexpected confrontation and disturbance in the Capitol Building, I notified
the security lady that I was in the building on business and I didn't want to
be harassed again.
The real reason I
was in the building that day was to get information about running against
Jarvis Brown who refused to do anything to help me and suggested I run myself.
I proceeded to the Sec. of State's office and the secretary gave me the things
I needed in a very nice manner. We got on with our business without incident.
As I was about to
leave, in walks the security girl and plops down on a chair in front of
the flag in the Sec. of State's office. I pulled out my videotape and videoed
her behavior. She ordered me to shut my camera off because she said it was
illegal to video state workers. I told her to leave and she wouldn't have to
worry about getting videoed. She said she was doing her job. Clearly, that was
harassing me.
As I exited the
office she followed right behind me. I wanted to video the trees and all the
Christmas lights but she was in the way all the time. Finally I heard her radio
for Jeffie Talbot. Just as I was walking out door, Jeffie drives up in his car.
I asked him if he was looking for me. He lied just like he did before to get me
in Yankton. I asked him if he was following me. He refused to answer. I told
him I wanted to go to the SDHP office to get my tape of them getting their
ticket in North Dakota. He told me if I so much as go to the office, he would
consider that a "disturbance." Abdallah was up to his threat.
I thought about
what I should do. It was Taco Tuesday, the main reason I decided to go to
Pierre that day, not because Janklow was addressing the legislators about what
was important- money. I decided I didn't want to argue with these idiots when
there were tacos to be had, so I left to return another day.
As this is being
written, Jan. 3, 2000, I do not know what is going to happen, but I will return
during legislative session to challenge abuse of power no matter what the price
I have to pay. After all, I remember that the writers of the Constitution
warned us about the abuse of power we would face from our own government and
our responsibility to keep us free.