COLONIE — A pair of activists came out on top in a free-speech debate with officials at Albany International Airport, captured on an edited video that as of midday Wednesday had garnered more than 38,000 views.

The 13-minute clip shows the activists, identified as Ashley Jessica and cameraman Jason Bermas, handing out leaflets Friday in the common area just outside the security area on the airport's second floor. The information concerned travelers' rights to opt out of the full-body scanner used at the security checkpoint and to film any pat-down by TSA officials.

The two are eventually approached by airport Director of Public Affairs Doug Myers, accompanied by an Albany County sheriff's deputy. Myers commands them to stop filming; Bermas politely refuses, but agrees to head downstairs to discuss the matter further.

The encounter goes downhill for Myers, as Deputy Stan Lenic ultimately points out to the airport spokesman that the pair aren't violating any laws — regardless of whether they're violating the airport authority's guidelines.

"Obviously, this is your constitutional right," Lenic tells the activists.

"You're to stay down here for awhile — keep 'em down here for a while," Myers tells Lenic.

"I can't really keep them down here," Lenic responds.

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"Then we're going to close to all but ticketed passengers — we can do that," Myers says, and turns to another airport employee: "Only ticketed passengers upstairs from now on, OK?"

The activists proceed to hand out more leaflets, and Myers decides to try a different tactic.

"Will you come next door please and fill out a form, please?" he asks.

When Bermas declines, Myers asks him to show some identification — only to be informed by Lenic that the cameraman isn't required to do that.

Myers would not speak on the record about the incident, but issued a statement from airport CEO John O'Donnell.

"On Nov. 23, we asked two individuals to move away from the escalator area of the terminal where they were distributing fliers," O'Donnell said. "Our concern — as it always is — was for the safety of the passengers and the public who were in the airport. It had nothing to do with their message or the content of their handouts. The policy we have in place for filming and leafleting in the airport is intended to help us ensure that this type of activity does not interfere with normal airport operations or safety.

"We would welcome them back to the airport to distribute their information. Filing a simple form and providing advance notice of their arrival are all that is required."

It's unclear how the airport would enforce its permit requirement, which involves an application to be filed in quadruplicate at least a week before any such activity, since the Albany County sheriff sees no role in it.

Full-body scanners are controversial in some circles for the potential ill effects of the radiation used to create the image. TSA officials and mainline health experts insist the devices are safe.

Bermas was one of the producers of "Loose Change," a documentary that alleges the U.S. government played a role in the 9/11 attacks. The film and related media projects have been popular on the progressive fringe, despite widespread criticism of their veracity.

cseiler@timesunion.com • 518-454-5619 • @CaseySeiler