Melissa Click, the University of Missouri assistant communications professor who was caught on camera trying to remove student journalists from a campus protest last year, has been formally charged with misdemeanor assault.
Click, 45, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor assault as a result of her actions during the November 2015 demonstration, the city prosecutor’s office in Columbia, Missouri, confirmed on Monday. If convicted of the class C misdemeanor, the educator could face upwards of 15 days in jail and a $300 fine.
The assistant communications professor quickly became famous beyond the Mizzou campus after she was videotaped attempting to physically eject campus reporters from a protest.
“Who wants to help me get this reporter out of here?” she was filmed saying. “I need some muscle over here.”
Ms. Click has since apologized for her actions, releasing a statement one day after the incident saying she was sorry “for the way my actions have shifted attention away from the students’ campaign for justice.” Last year’s protests eventually led to the resignation of University of Missouri System President Tim Wolfe and Mizzou Chancellor R. Bown Loftin.
Neither Ms. Click nor Columbia city prosecutor Steve Richey immediately responded to requests for comment made by The Associated Press on Monday, AP reported. Mr. Richey is slated to retire next month.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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