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Ohio State Professor on Leave After Altercation with Documentarian

2/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

Ohio State University placed assistant professor Luke M. Perez on leave after an altercation with documentarian Mike Newman.
The incident occurred when Newman attempted to ask former university president E. Gordon Gee questions.
Perez, affiliated with a center promoting intellectual diversity, blocked Newman’s access and restrained him after claiming Newman invaded his space.
Video shows Luke M. Perez wrestling Newman to the ground while asserting that Newman touched him first.

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Story summary

Ohio State University placed assistant professor Luke M. Perez on leave after an altercation with documentarian Mike Newman.
The incident occurred when Newman attempted to ask former university president E. Gordon Gee questions.
Perez, affiliated with a center promoting intellectual diversity, blocked Newman’s access and restrained him after claiming Newman invaded his space.
Video shows Luke M. Perez wrestling Newman to the ground while asserting that Newman touched him first.