UAlbany professor arrested at anti-abortion rally
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ALBANY – A University at Albany professor was dragged away from an anti-abortion rally in handcuffs last week after allegedly disrupting the event.
Adjunct sociology professor Renee Overdyke, 57, is facing three charges — disturbing a lawful assembly, resisting arrest, and obstruction of governmental administration.
Overdyke was ticketed and released after her arrest.
A video posted on social media by the pro-life organization Created Equal, which staged the rally with university permission, showed five university police officers struggling to get Overdyke under control before leading her away for booking.
Overdyke is alleged to have unplugged the power to a message board that displayed footage of what the group claims to be fetuses acquired from medical waste facilities after abortions.
A University at Albany professor was dragged away from an anti-abortion rally in handcuffs last week after allegedly disrupting the event.
In the video, students can be heard shouting “we have a right to free speech” and “free Renee.”
When NewsChannel 13 visited Overdyke’s house Tuesday night she declined comment.
A university spokesman said he couldn’t comment on the professor’s status since it is a personnel matter.
University personnel were also seen at the event passing out pamphlets to remind people about appropriate behavior at a free speech rally.