But the protester hurled himself forward, brandishing his placard under the startled chestnut's nose.
At one campaign event, a protester hurled shoes at him, although Shafik was not struck.
Palestinian news media quoted unidentified security officials in Gaza as saying that the protesters hurled grenades and opened fire at officials leaving the school.
Some protesters hurled angry words at union leaders and angry chants at the mayor.
His day was tumultuous, beginning in the worst way when a protester hurled a bag of red paint at his face from point-blank range.
The protesters hurled rocks at the policemen, who threw the stones back.
He has been called an Uncle Tom and protesters have hurled rocks at his office.
The protesters hurled stones, and the officers fired back, killing Ibrahim Hadaideh, 44.
The protesters burned several vehicles and hurled stones at police who were trying to control the mob.
Witnesses said scuffles erupted when protesters hurled water bottles at police and tried to break through police line.