COLUMBUS, OH. — The attorney for the independent journalist attacked by an Ohio State University faculty member while interviewing former WVU President Gordon Gee wants him to be terminated and criminally charged.
The attack happened Monday evening at the Smith Lab when the video shows independent journalist Michael Newman asking for one more question and attempting to enter a classroom where Gee was. Assistant professor Luke Perez accuses Newman of putting the camera in his face, then attempts to slap the equipment out of his hands and rides him to the ground.
Perez, is an assistant professor from the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society. The altercation took place following a “Profiles in American Leadership” class taught by Perez Monday where Gee was a guest lecturer and took questions in the hallway.
“The assistant professor got into the path of his camera and struck him, and that video went viral; I think there are 10 to 12 million views at this point,” Ratliff said.
Newman immediately got up and backpedaled in disbelief while the person filming the incident is saying, “Hey, you can’t do that.”
“He has some neck and facial injuries, and a little like a car accident, he has some whiplash and damage to his equipment,” Ratliff said. “But, at the time, I think he was really shocked.”
One film crew was at the scene interviewing Dr. Gee, and a second was there recording that interview. When the interview ended, Newman approached the door where Perez moved in front of him.
“At that point his interview ended, and Mr. Newman wanted to ask a question about student loan debt—that was the question he wanted to ask Dr. Gee at that time,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff said Gee’s reaction was unbecoming of a higher education executive who has been working with young people for more than four decades.
“Dr. Gees’ reaction is pretty appalling for what used to be a university president when he has one of the filmers call them his henchmen attacking people,” Ratliff said.
Ratliff said at this point they want Perez to be charged criminally for the attack and fired. Civil claims are also being considered if the university fails to take action.
“The assistant professor allowed his civil rights to be violated, meaning freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” Ratliff said. “We’re looking into options at this point, but right now we want him removed because this guy shouldn’t be teaching children.”