Ohio State Professor Put on Leave After Tackling Filmmaker

Ohio State University placed assistant professor Luke M. Perez on administrative leave after he physically clashed with a documentarian who sought a follow-up question for E. Gordon Gee after an interview. Dr. Perez is part of the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, a center created by the state in 2023 to promote intellectual diversity on campus.

A video taken by filmmaker Mike Newman captures Dr. Perez telling journalists, "He already said it was his last question, so we’re going to have to ask you guys to leave now." When Mr. Newman asked, "Just one more?" Dr. Perez moved to block him. A separate video posted by The Rooster shows Dr.

Perez reach for a device in Mr. Newman’s left hand and then use both hands to wrestle him to the ground; Dr. Perez can be heard saying, "I told you not to put that in my face!" Ben Johnson, an Ohio State spokesman, called the incident "very concerning" and said the faculty member involved was put on administrative leave the day after the episode.

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