Valley News – UNH faculty and students are calling for the university’s police chief to resign after he allegedly assaulted a student

Five days after police arrested 12 pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of New Hampshire, students and faculty called for the resignation of the university’s police chief, Paul Dean, after he allegedly attacked a student while responding to last week’s protests .

The calls came during a demonstration Monday afternoon at the flagpole outside the university’s Thompson Hall, attended by about 150 students, faculty and community members.

Those present, including professors, say that Dean – dressed in civilian clothes – attacked demonstrators last Wednesday evening and tore off a piece of white fabric.

Dean did not respond to requests for comment, although he previously told the Boston Globe that protesters were violent and police had been attacked, and denied personally attacking students.

“I think an investigation and the information there will prove that this is false,” Dean told the Globe.

It was unclear whether an investigation had been launched or which body would lead one.

“I am not aware of any investigation,” university spokeswoman Tania deLuzuriaga said Monday.

Siobhan Sr., a UNH professor of women’s and gender studies, witnessed the interaction between Dean and protesters on Wednesday and described Dean as being “triggered” by the sight of tents – some of which were being set up.

“He violently shoved two (protesters) and grabbed one of the tents,” Senior said. “He was alone in there.”

Both senior and professor emeritus Joshua Meyrowitz have been at UNH for decades and called Dean’s reaction uncharacteristic.

“There was something very strange about that day,” Meyrowitz said. “It was like a bull charging at red fabric.”

Normally he was “a great diplomat,” Senior added.

A group of faculty members scheduled to meet Monday afternoon also called for the dean to resign.

Later Wednesday, after the dean’s scuffle with students, state and university police dressed in riot gear pushed and punched a group of protesters holding a sign, video shows.

“I think it’s terrible to see the government calling the police and asking them to engage in police brutality,” said Yussra Ebrahim, 30, a UNH graduate and Portsmouth resident whose mother was arrested last week.

In response to a question about the police response and calls for Dean’s resignation, deLuzuriaga described Monday’s protest as “passionate, provocative and peaceful.”

“It is my responsibility to ensure that all students are safe and have access to a complete educational experience. We will not allow our campus to be co-opted by a small group of protesters, including those from outside the university community, whose agenda is at odds with student success and well-being,” UNH President James W. Dean Jr. wrote in a message to the community last week.

Notably, there was no police presence at Monday’s protest, aside from a line of about four police cars driving down Main Street in the middle of the event.

In addition to criticizing the police response last week, protesters continued to call on the university to disclose its investments and holdings in companies in Israel.

“Disclosure, divestment, we will not stop, we will not rest,” protesters chanted at one point.

Meanwhile, a group of about 10 counter-protesters – many of whom are members of the university’s College Republicans student group – waved large American flags and regularly chanted “USA!” USA!”

“If people were violent and setting up camp, then arresting them was the right decision,” junior Sara Mazzella said of last week’s response.

Protesters and counter-protesters engaged in some verbal altercations but did not become violent.